Ecclesiastes 3:6
A time to gain, and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
Sounds almost like an inventory doesn't it?
Sounds almost like someone taking Step #4 and #5 of the Twelve Steps, doesn't it?
The taking of a searching and fearless moral inventory. Identifying those character flaws that we have developed over the years.
Throwing away all the bad.
God's additions doesn't always look like we think it should.
Addition in God's kingdom always involves throwing away.
Throwing away things that weigh us down.
Throwing away heavy, burdensome ideas, concepts that clutter our brain and fuel bad decisions.
God's addition always leads us to a better way.
I accumulated a world view that was (wait for it) created by the dictates and group behavior of the world.
In other words, living in the world, which is a fallen, sinful world, I learn how to do business, live life, and get by using the ways and means of society and culture. This usually adds up to some stinking thinking on my part.
If you don't see it this way, then think on this.
The Hebrews were in slavery down in Egypt for over 400 years.
I'm not sure, but I do believe that if you live in a society for 400 years, you tend to pick up the behaviors and customs of that society. You start to talk like them, think like them, see life as they see life. In other words, you develop a world view that is influenced by the culture and society you are living in.
Along comes God.
"I'm here to free you from the bondage of the Egyptians."
A collective "Yahoo!" goes up from the Hebrews.
But they didn't read the fine print.
You know the part where God is going to take them out into the wilderness and lead them to a land of promise.
God took them out of Egypt..
but then He had to take Egypt out of them.
He took them out to a place where He became their only source of survival.
There weren't any stores or markets.
No clothing outlets.
No economy of any size, shape or fashion.
God was the sole source of survival.
There they would learn how to live.
There they would trade off all the baggage of Egypt for the freedom of living under His rule and reign.
Or that is the way it was suppose to work. God didn't miss the mark, the people did.
We have rebellion among the priests...
Fire comes down and consumes two of them.
We have rebellion in the camp. Ground splits open and 250 die.
Oh yeah, don't forget the whole "golden calf" thing.
Bottom line...
God's call to each of us is to have "LESS" of the world...To throw away the things of this world that we have placed to high a value on...
and accept the eternal things of God.....
And accept the eternal God.
Think on these things today.
You might want to consider having less in your life.
I know that I am going to take a look at this for myself....
God on you...
mb
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