“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
In my efforts to steer clear of any notion of prosperity thinking (“God wants you to be rich!”), do I miss pieces of the rest and enjoyment God has for me?
Years ago, my family bought me a hammock for Father’s Day. It sat in the box for a year! Go ahead and psychoanalyze that one. I am sure it speaks volumes.
A few days after I assembled it, I finally took some time to stretch out on my brand new one-year-old hammock. Ahhhh! No sooner did I begin to relax—really relax—than the hammock police arrived. They came disguised as friends, but I knew who they were.
““Oh, you are living the easy life!” they chided.”
At times like these, it amazing how quickly I feel the need to justify my R & R.
“Hey, I’ve been working all week!”
“Do you know when I last stopped to pause!?”
“Do you realize how rare it is when I actually do stop!”
Never mind that my rebuttals all occur in the courtroom of my mind; if I only remember what God says, I might demonstrate a little more relaxation resolve:
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 ESV
God gives wealth, possessions, and the power to enjoy them.
This truth plays well on a Friday, but it is not just for the weekends. If you want to kick back for a few minutes, bask in the sauna, visit the beach, or enjoy a date night—why wait until Saturday? One of God’s great gifts is good health and the ability to enjoy it.
We all know it can disappear too quickly.
Paul warned Timothy to warn others (the rich in particular) that wealth can blind us, but in the same breath he wants us to remember God’s generous nature:
“God richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
Next time the hammock police stop you, just remind them God’s blessings extend to enjoying work, good food, a ball game, and even a few minutes of shut-eye on a lazy afternoon.
My Prayer: Lord, thank you for richly providing us everything to enjoy.