Exodus 15:22-24
King James Version
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea,
and they went out into the wilderness of Shur;
and they went three days in the wilderness,
and found no water.
23 And when they came to Marah,
they could not drink of the waters of Marah,
for they were bitter:
therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people murmured against Moses,
saying, What shall we drink?
It's those "murmurings" that do it.
The "discontent".
The "ingratitude".
The lack of "faith".
The "unfaithfulness".
The "worldliness".
The "greed".
The feeling of "entitlement".
Those are poison to the soul.
They cause grief.
They cause division.
They cause mayhem.
They cause envy.
They cause strife.
They cause discontent.
And people are not even aware of it.
Discontent eats up your soul.
It causes sadness in those who do their best.
In those who try to please you.
Knowing nothing will ever please you.
Nothing they do will ever be enough for you.
There will always be something missing.
Something you can't quite "deliver".
Or so, they think.
You will be exhausted living with people who are like that.
Those who look down upon your humble offerings.
Those who want the high life.
Few people are content.
They envy each other.
They try to outdo each other.
They want what others have.
Not appreciating what they already have.
The world has painted a picture of "want".
Too many companies offer too many "products".
One overlapping the other.
Creating "want" in us.
Creating a false sense of "security".
And an even more false sense of "acceptability".
As if our worth is judged by face, form, fame, and fortune.
1 Timothy 6:6-11
King James Version
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Satan fuels envy, and desire, in people.
He likes feeding his hungry demons within you.
He activates those dormant demons, that lie in wait.
For the opportune time you simmer in envy.
Wishing you had what your neighbor has.
Children are already covetous.
We want the toys others have.
And if we didn't have it, we'd throw tantrums.
When we got into our teens, we wanted to be accepted.
So we looked to clothes, gadgets, and social media.
Making us even riper for desire, and depression.
When we become adults, of working age, we begin to earn.
That's when we really go at it.
Buying everything we can afford.
And those we can't afford.
When we get married, trouble starts from covetous spouses.
Who want what the neighbors have.
Who want to be accepted in "circles".
Who simply had to "belong".
Where is GOD in all that?
Do we remember our Creator?
Have we thanked Him for our blessings?
Have we thanked each other for working so hard?
Gratitude is a rare thing in this flashy, modern world.
Covetousness causes everyone harm.
It makes you feel entitled -- surely an illusion.
Covetousness is a sin against GOD.
Colossians 3:5-6
King James Version
5 Mortify therefore your members
which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness,
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence,
and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh
on the children of disobedience:
We often have a war "within".
The war of raging discontent.
Scripture tells us the source of "strife".
Both of internal, and external strife:
1 John 2:16
King James Version
16 For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
Satan boasted to JESUS that he owns the world.
Imagine claiming such -- truly laughable.
Matthew 4:8-9
King James Version
8 Again, the devil taketh him up
into an exceeding high mountain,
and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,
and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him,
All these things will I give thee,
if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
How did the LORD respond?
Matthew 4:10
King James Version
10 Then saith Jesus unto him,
Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written,
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve.
When you worship possessions, you worship CHRIST's enemy.
Who happens to be the cause of all our downfall.
We are weighed down by pride, greed, vanity, ego, and possessions.
We become possessed by such things.
Weighing down our very spirits.
The only hope for any of us?
LOVE GOD above all.
FOCUS on GOD alone.
It is a fool who loves the world, more than he loves GOD.
The world is temporary.
We are temporary.
Our breath belongs to GOD.
At any given moment, JESUS can show up in the clouds.
And have His faithful -- the dead, and living -- join Him.
What good would your possessions be if you don't have the people you love around anymore?
What good would face, form, fame, and fortune be, when these hinder you from being with JESUS?
It was never about us, or our "toys".
Or how much we have.
Or how famous we are.
Or how beautiful we are.
Or how powerful we are.
It was always about loving GOD.
And being grateful for everything.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
King James Version
18 In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
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