I vow to my God that I will no longer practice accumulation but dissemination. The world and the flesh are always after me to gather in, to collect, to secure myself against illness, old age, catastrophe, and death. Jesus sent His disciples out with the word: “[Take] neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your purses, nor a bag … neither two coats, neither shoes, not yet a staff” (Matthew 10:9–10, NSRB). Strange equipment for His spiritual army! And yet, how wise! The soldier who enters a battle overloaded is already defeated.
I must learn to use things without possessing them, as Paul did (2 Corinthians 6:10). I am to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then I will not need to worry about my daily necessities. God gives me things to use and to enjoy, not to idolize. When I can no longer use something, I must give it to someone who can. Jesus was the great “giver-upper.” When He died He owned nothing. I must beware the world’s cry, “You need this or that or the other thing.” The world is always telling me what I need; and if I listen to such talk, I will accumulate forever and yet never find satisfaction. How can the world tell the disciple what his needs are? Only the great Pioneer of all disciples can do that (Hebrews 12:1).
How true was Bunyan’s picture of Vanity Fair. The main street was covered with stalls, each one possessing an attractive ware, and each stall keeper rushed out into the street to drag customers in to buy. The world cries, “Buy, buy, buy!” But the wise pilgrim will move right along, never daunted, never turned aside. Only in Christ is there sanity, and only the pilgrim is wise. Paul’s word to Timothy was: “God has … given us a spirit of … power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). What a heartening word of healing in a broken world!
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Daily with the King 