High Value

Luke 16:14-15 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
 
THE Pharisees openly disdained Jesus’ teaching to wisely use our money and our gifts for the Kingdom of God. They looked at Jesus and his disciples to see they were poor men without possessions. Who wants to be like that?
    How tragic it is to think we can justify ourselves with a pursuit of wealth. But that is what underscores much of our culture today. Very easily we are moved to believe money and possessions are the source of happiness.
    Looking at our wants and desires, we fall into the “all about me” trap to grab the pretty-looking, soul-stealing goods the world promises we will savor and enjoy.
    Oh yes, as Eve saw “the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom,” (Gen 3:6b) we, too, may physically and emotionally believe we need more than the Lord graciously provides. After all, a God of rules and commands will only restrict our lives, won’t he? 
    But what happens when our eyes are opened to the lie? How do we respond when we realize we are naked in our sin before God? What happens when we know the pleasure we have pursued has left us empty and ashamed? (See Genesis 3:7.) How do we, how can we face God when we have sneered at his commands?
    Our only option is to put away the mirror and confess, “I have sneered at your truth, Lord. I repent and ask to receive your mercy. Change my values to Jesus, so that I will daily taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Ps 34:8).”
 
Prayer: I pray, Lord, that my self-focused eyes to turn to you. In Jesus’ name and the Spirit’s power, I seek to be satisfied in you. Amen.