“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.”
You really can’t get much more of a non-American culture statement than these verses right here. As our world shouts, “Get rich quick!” the Bible tells us that believers who are poor are actually the ones on top. “Buy more stuff!” in contrast with “stuff will rot and do you no good.” But I have to be honest, the kicker for me in these verses is the word “achievements.” I could take it much more easily if the verse said, “The rich will fade away with all of their awesome stuff…” But it doesn’t say that. It says “achievements.”
Which makes me ask myself, “What is it that I am working towards?” I like to accomplish things. I like to set goals and meet them. I like to press ahead in life and achieve more each year than I did the year before. So if I pause to look in the mirror for a second, I have to examine my motivations. Sure, I could say that I’m doing all this for God, but am I? Or is there part of me that wants to achieve a lot of things for the purpose of being a driven, high-achieving person? And if I do that, what am I missing? Am I placing my value of myself on what I do rather than letting God just love me and use me with no pressure attached?
If today’s post is for no one but me, I’ll take it. You don’t have to put pressure on yourself. Say it with me now: “I don’t have to put pressure on myself.” God is not waiting for you be more productive or achieve things that will give you accolades. He kind of likes to sit and just be with you. He likes to refine you in a slow and nurturing way. Your achievements won’t get you there. In fact, they might just hold you back. Is there something you need to give up today? Take it to God and ask him where he stands on it. Examine your motivations in any area in which you feel like you have to perform. Let’s redefine our audience and put God in the front row seat.