If you’re gonna chase, be sure you’re chasing the right thing.
Jesus first of course, but beyond that, life gets askew when a singular focus becomes the monolith that rules your every action.
I’m thinking here of money in particular, but anything that becomes an idol is dangerous.
Often great servants but rotten masters!
Even Jesus recognised that he alone was not enough. That may seem like an unexpected and unlikely statement from someone who lives by the premise "Jesus first," but there's a second part to that premise: "everything else follows."
I've asked a few times in various meetings: "What do we need?"
The enthusiastic charismatic answer is, of course, “only Jesus!”
But even Jesus himself didn't say that.
Matthew 6:32 is very revealing of how aware our Father is of the reality of our life on Earth.
It plainly declares, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matthew 6:32 KJV)
We need, want, and desire many things, and there is nothing wrong with that.
In fact, having an understanding that there are many metrics that we can measure our success by, not just one or two, is important.
The world wants to convince you that your success and your significance can be measured by fame or fortune or other such fleeting metrics. The truth is, such things are just one of many and perhaps far from the most important ones
A big factor for me in my business life, for example, is the metric of peace and prosperity, not just prosperity in the narrow sense of the word.
Notice here how John, the beloved disciple, prayed for his people.
“Beloved, I wish (pray) above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2 KJV)
At the end of the day, it's a matter of priority and perspective.
Prosperity of soul is the deep soil from which natural prosperity can grow.
And today I just want to remind you that there are many metrics that are far deeper and far more important and far more enduring than money.
Seek first his kingdom, we are told, and all of these “things” will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
Things are important, but they are the fruit, not the root.
Tend the roots of your relationship with Jesus well.
Let his love and affirmation build you up, not the social signals and other wonky measurements that the world wants to impose on you.
And as you do so, expect good things to be added to you.
