An Unencumbered Journey

Posted by Buck Jacobs on Mar 17th, 2011 | no comments home title

Tertullian, one of the fathers of the early church, is quoted as saying, “And so it is when a man walks along a road, the lighter he travels, the happier he is; equally, on this journey of life, a man is more blessed if he does not pant beneath a burden of riches.”

Panting beneath a load of riches? What’s that? Aren’t riches a blessing?

One of the by-products, and even sometimes the motivating force in striving for success in our careers, is the opportunity to gain financial increase through our efforts. We work hard to improve our performance, to satisfy our customers/supervisors, to learn how to do whatever we do with increasing value and effectiveness, and often we succeed.

Our success brings with it a greater ability to acquire “things.” Things like, well you know, bigger homes, vacation homes, travel, fancy cars, boats, planes, hobbies and “stuff.” Often we take advantage of this opportunity. “Things” start to pile up. They seem to breed all by themselves.

Sometimes it is hard to find time to use them all and also meet the demands of our other priorities as well. You know, you can’t use a boat and a plane at the same time very well, or be at the new mountain house and church at the same time. It’s hard to read God’s Word and play golf or tennis at the same time or to wind-surf and ski. It takes an effort to schedule all the “Things” we have access to when we have so many.

Can it be that every “thing” that glitters is not gold? If so, how can we know the difference?

(Here is a hint – blessings from God never war against God’s priorities!)

What might His priorities be?

First – to grow in intimacy with Him. To learn and do His will. To spend time with Him. If “stuff” gets in the way it didn’t come from Him

Second – To nurture family relationships starting with your spouse if you have one and extending to children, grandchildren, and then others

Third – To use the gifts He has given to build His Church (notice the capital “C”) both within the walls of of our local church and wherever else we happen to be when we are not there. To share in meeting the needs we find as we relate to the world around us from what He has provided to us.

Fourth – To care for ourselves in spirit, soul, and body and continue in learning and health.

If the “things” you have don’t keep you from the things God wants you to be and do, but rather are tools or vehicles that enable you to do “all things well” then they are not the burden that Tertullian spoke about, they are blessings to be shared and enjoyed. It’s great to use “things” but awful when the use you.