Life is not Possessions, Money or Positions

Pursuing Position and Money

I started as a waitress just after I graduated from campus. I struggled with the position because I thought I deserved better since I was a degree holder. I worked very hard, hoping to get my bosses’ attention finally. A lot worked in my favor, and in 3years’ time, I got attached to a particular guy who was to train me in the position of a Banquets coordinator. Suddenly I stopped wearing the waitress uniform, and I got a desk at the administration block. I attended the managers’ meetings every weekend. And would have lunch at the senior staff dining hall. At this point, I was very excited about my career. It was clear that I was progressing up the ladder. And it’s like most people, if not everyone in the hotel, had noticed it. However, hell broke loose when I realized that expectations were attached to the promotion. I kept on getting offers for meetings after work. The pressure was put on me to consider moving from my parents’ house. I remained adamant and worked hard, hoping that all this could finally end. Cases would erupt that I never understood, and the going was getting rough.

After several issues, I then got a meeting with one of the Managers and was transferred to a different department. I finally had to resign because I thought it was the best decision to make. But before I left, I had a lengthy discussion with one of the workers with first had information, who happened to be a good friend, and what she told me helped me add together every dot. The position I was acting in would materialize once I submitted to the demands. I would get along with the job, a salary increase, a free apartment to stay and a soft loan car loan. I always remember how she began first by telling me that I am a grown-up ad I have a career to keep. And the decision was entirely mine to make. I preferred to stay home without a job, a good position, and a good salary.

It’s now five years since. Here I am. God continues to work in me to represent Him as His ambassador everywhere I go entirely. 

The Truth About Riches and Positions

If Solomon, in all his glory and possessions, was not better dressed than the lilies of the field (Lk. 12:13-21; 16:15), then the implication here is that God is the source of all things that we need. The focus should shift from the worry of owning property and having a lot of money. Sometimes even having to compromise to maintain a certain status. The concept that “life is possessions” is the idea behind the principles of measuring an individual’s net worth at face value. Even a lot of Christians measure their spiritual position by their material possessions. God is more interested in building our character than in giving us things. Paul, the Apostle, said that he has learned both to abound and abase.

Worldly people boast about their riches and trust that their money will help them. But one cannot equate life to any amount of money. Wealth cannot make the wealthy live forever. They die, and other people eat their money. It is foolish for one to trust in themselves, their fame, and their riches.

Those who know and serve God will finally rule over the rich in the life to come. The rich who are wise use their fortune to honor God. For those who genuinely believe in God, riches and poverty are temporal elements of life on this side of eternity.

Rich people are compared to wildflowers. They are beautiful in the morning but unable to withstand the heat from the sun; they quickly wither and die away. On an eternal weighing scale, the rich person will fade away soon even as he goes about his business.

 Christians who make temporary riches their highest priority reveal they are not trusting God. According to (1 Timothy 6:10), Christians may nosedive into a trap and pierce themselves with many griefs because of lacking faith in the area of wealth. 

(Mk.8:36 & 37) What does God say about money from these verses?

What needs to change with how you view possessions and money?

Joy Minayo is a disciple-maker in the Activate Kenya community, she enjoys using online media, writing blogs to help mobilize disciples towards reaching the unreached. 

References

Psalm 49 summary – Google search. (n.d.). Google. https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AOaemvITm3ZmHdrEqjas7yUiTeUi76Wn4Q%3A1642337005405&lei=7RLkYaivGMWfjLsPpaG4-AE&q=psalm%2049%20summary&ved=2ahUKEwjo2buOprb1AhXFD2MBHaUQDh8QsKwBKAV6BAg-EAY&biw=1366&bih=657&dpr=1

What does James 1:11 mean? (n.d.). BibleRef.com. https://www.bibleref.com/James/1/James-1-11.html#commentary