What Would You Do?

Read Psalm 4

Psalm 4:7

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Do you believe that a relationship with Jesus brings more joy than anything else in the world? What would you do if he asked you to prove it?

Materialism and the acquiring of possessions may be the world’s definition of success, but many people will tell you, the more things you own, the more they own you. The more money in our bank account, the more cars in our garage, and the more toys we purchase, the more we become prisoners to what I’ll call “lifestyle maintenance”. We become accustomed to a lifestyle we could never walk away from, and our identity can be placed in what we have.

In Mark 10:17-27 the rich young ruler stood face to face with Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus responded with “sell your possessions” the young man backed away in silence. His identity and happiness were placed in what he owned. They became what he worshipped. Even though he stood face to face with the creator of all things in Jesus (John 1), the man refused to leave his lifestyle.

What would you do if Jesus physically appeared in your home right now and said, “Follow me. Don’t worry about all your “stuff” just leave it and follow me.” What would you do? Remember, the rich young ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus gave him an answer he didn’t like, so he traded an eternal life of joy with God for temporary happiness in worldly things.

Psalm 4:7 reminds us that it is God who puts gladness in our hearts. Choosing Him is better than any possession or sum of money in our bank account. Eternal gladness is knowing God and being in His presence.

Lord, fill my heart with gladness. Teach me to fall in love with you and not with what I own. Amen.

 Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, TN.

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