My kids love to watch movies, especially my youngest, Kate. We have lots of kid movies. One of the movies she likes is Ratatouille. There is a scene in the movie where Remy is hungry and trying to find food. He finds some food, but his conscience in the form of his hero Chef Gusteau convinces him not to steal food, but instead tells him, "Remy, you are better than that. You are a cook! A cook makes! A thief takes. You are not a thief. Food will come, Remy. Food always comes to those who love to cook." The very thing Remy wanted would come not by stealing, but by cooking, preparing what he desired for others to consume. Put another way, by serving.
News of economic struggles abound. Yet the truth is, whether in good times or bad, our cravings rarely change. We desire money or stuff. I often wrestle with those same desires, and have allowed myself to get caught up in trying to figure out how to get more. Yet, the pursuit of that totally changes a persons heart, their motivation for all they do. Matthew 21:6 clearly states this truth when it say, "where your treasure it, there your heart will be also." If what I treasure is a lifestyle that conforms with those around me, or those I look up to, my heart will be fixated on that at the expense of the greater things of God. If I treasure happiness, my heart is fixated on achieving that, and I miss the challenging lessons of life that bring joy and trust through Gods faithfulness in hard times. Jesus' own words later in Matthew 6 remind us that when we seek first his kingdom, he will take care of the rest.
In my quiet time this morning, I read this passage from 1 Peter 5:2-4:
News of economic struggles abound. Yet the truth is, whether in good times or bad, our cravings rarely change. We desire money or stuff. I often wrestle with those same desires, and have allowed myself to get caught up in trying to figure out how to get more. Yet, the pursuit of that totally changes a persons heart, their motivation for all they do. Matthew 21:6 clearly states this truth when it say, "where your treasure it, there your heart will be also." If what I treasure is a lifestyle that conforms with those around me, or those I look up to, my heart will be fixated on that at the expense of the greater things of God. If I treasure happiness, my heart is fixated on achieving that, and I miss the challenging lessons of life that bring joy and trust through Gods faithfulness in hard times. Jesus' own words later in Matthew 6 remind us that when we seek first his kingdom, he will take care of the rest.
In my quiet time this morning, I read this passage from 1 Peter 5:2-4:
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.What a great reminder that true riches come from true sacrifice and service. We are encouraged to be eager to serve, rather than greedy for money, and the reward for such eagerness is a crown that never fades, something much more valuable than what this world can offer.
