Proverbs 27:23–24

Know well the conditions of your flocks,
     and give attention to your herds,
for riches do not last forever; 
     and does a crown endure to all generations?

Its all too true that what we accrue in our lives, we can't take with us in death (Ecclesiastes 5:15).  Christ had a very clear warning in Luke 12:15—"Take care and be on your guard against covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Consider all the things that your Visa card cannot buy—contentment, love, affection, fellowship and community.

All these things we can have in abundance from knowing Christ and being in community with his people. Yes, it is true we need our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) and clothing (Luke 12:23). Our Father knows that we need these practical things, and Jesus promised in Luke 12:31, "Instead, seek his kingdom, and all these things will be added to you." We certainly can keep in mind I Timothy 6:6—"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.." Paul knew this contentment in knowing Christ (Phil 4:12-13) and concluded that "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

The author of Ecclesiastes knew well the monotony of life, the certainty of death, the vanity of wisdom, and the futility of wealth.  At the end of the book, the teacher put all these facets of life in proper perspective—"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man".

So, how do we use what we have? Some of us in the body of Christ will have a lack and some of us will have a surplus. We can be as the believers in Acts 4 who shared with any who had need. We too can "be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share" (I Timothy 6:17). Consider your fellow members at Tenth—how you can share of your time, talents and riches for God's glory,  the Gospel of Christ and the edification and encouragement of the body of Christ.