DITW – What’s Really Important? – April 27
When I look around this new city I am in, I see a great amount of wealth and materialism. Half the houses in this area look like mini-mansions. As I drive my daughter to school in my beat up Honda Pilot, I am in line behind Range Rovers and Lexus SUVs. When I look at this, I can’t imagine what someone who doesn’t know about my family or my life must think of my crazy life. I’ve never been one to care too much about material things, I’ve always been more interested in experiences and life changes.
In fact, one of my friends came to visit my house once and said “Hmm… I thought you’d have a bigger TV” as they looked at my 48″ screen. Sure, I COULD spend money on that but it would not offer much in the way of future value beyond giving my kids yet another fancy distraction.
Upon reading my bible study for today, I am taken to a section of Proverbs that seems to explain this: “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.” (Proverbs 27:23-24, NLT).
Of course, I don’t have herds of animals… I only have one dog and he’s so old that he’s scarcely more than a rug I have to feed. But I do have a herd of children that, by the most insane set of circumstances, God has entrusted to my (albeit unworthy) hand. I focus on spending time with them and growing their hearts and minds. Our house could be destroyed tomorrow and it would be sad, but my kids would be happy because they still have their parents. That’s what we should focus on, not materials or riches.