Jesus explained it clearly. “Beware, it is easy to fall into all kinds of greed. Your worth is not measured by how much ‘stuff’ you have but if your name is written in Heaven’s Book of Life— Luke 12:15 (King Jimmy Translation).
Shallow but Well Dressed
He circled the block five times before a parking place opened in front of the courthouse. He skillfully parallel parked his new gold trimmed Lexus with the 23-inch custom wheels. This deluxe carriage came with every amenity known to mankind. Besides the all-leather interior, the surround-sound stereo and the eight-person hot tub, the 108-inch big screen TV fit nicely above the optional orchestra pit. The three-tier chandelier gave the interior that needed extra touch of class.
He wore only Gucci suits and shoes. Custom shirts under $300 he considered to be thrift shop quality. No way he would be seen in public not wearing a hundred dollar tie. Diamond and gold cuff-links were standard fare for attending his son’s Little League games. He hob-knobbed with producers to have his picture hung in the studio when ZZ Top recorded “Sharp Dressed Man.”
A curious crowd gathered, wondering who was behind the dark-tinted windows of the Lexus. Most definitely a celebrity? Maybe a scandal-free politician? Naw. Perhaps a sports figure?
The lawyer made his exit. He stood and adjusted his Versace sunglasses, straightened his tie, and smirked as he glanced at the common folks staring with envy at his Lexus. Oh, these peasants would give anything to be me. Why aren’t they bowing?
As he stood basking in the perceived adoration of the crowd, a multi-colored, oil burning, hub cap missing, muffler-tied-up-with-a-coat-hanger 1974 Chevy pickup slammed into the Lexus door, taking it completely off. The lawyer watched his door disappear down the street, tangled in the coat hanger holding the muffler, the gold trim sparking fireworks that rivaled the Fourth of July as it bounced along, which highlighted the Gilley’s sticker on the rusty bumper.
He shook his fist into the air at the fleeting door snatcher. “I’ll sue you,” he shouted. “You’ve destroyed my Lexus!”
A good Samaritan onlooker approached the lawyer. “I wouldn’t be so concerned about the door, mister,” he said. “The truck tore off your arm, too.”
The lawyer’s eyes became the size of satellite dishes. His raging face turned pale as he looked with disbelief at the bloody stub left of his arm. “My Rolex. My Rolex!”
You’ve seen the TV commercials. “You deserve this,” or “When others say, ‘No! we say ‘Yes!’” “No money down, and drive home a new (name the automobile)…”
In today’s culture, easy credit or no money down, makes getting stuff easy, and plays on our emotion—greed—to have it all—now! Fifth Avenue says if we accumulate these “toys,” they will bring fulfillment into our lives.
To Christ-followers, nothing could be further from the truth
We ask ourselves. “How much is enough?” “How many toys can a person accumulate to bring contentment to life?” Usually, the things of God are on the back burner, if on the stove at all.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Jesus addressed this issue during a confrontation between two brothers. He warned them against greed, which eventually destroyed them. He continued his lesson with a story of a wheat farmer whose insatiable greed wasn’t content with his already over-stuffed barns. He decided to tear them down to build bigger barns to accumulate more. That night, Jesus said, the farmer died (Luke 12:15–21). He may have had a nice funeral, but he left his stuffed barns and wealth behind. What kind of unsatisfied life did he have, controlled by greed, with little or no room for God? Human nature does not change. I’m thinking his life was probably shallow, same as many people today who trust in their riches.
Father, today may I enjoy your blessings and be content with the life you gave me. Improve the areas that need improvement, grow me in areas where I need growth, Use me in your kingdom to influence others toward righteousness and to trust you, Lord Jesus, as their savior.
Stay close to Jesus
Jimmy
After the police caught up with the Chevy truck, the driver disputed their citation for reckless driver. When they checked the driver’s license, it was found he got eight out of ten on the driving test. The other two lawyers jumped out of the way.
Jimmy Eskew © 2017
(apologies to my lawyer friends.)
THANKFUL 
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