Since 1993, sales of luxury cars in my country— Australia—have doubled. Since the 1950s, Australian homes have doubled in size, yet the average family has decreased by a third. We’ve been on a pilgrimage to the “kingdom of things.” But, on arrival, we haven’t found fulfillment. Thirty percent of us take some form of mood-enhancing substance (like drugs, alcohol, sleeping tablets, or antidepressants) to get through the day.
I’m grateful that there’s another kingdom to which we can make our pilgrimage. The apostle John saw it as a gleaming city descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2); a place where humanity’s deepest longings are fulfilled in relationship with God (v.3); a place where wounds are healed and tears forever cease (v.4); a place of radiant beauty (vv.11,18-21) that reflects the beauty of its Creator (4:3).
Eight hundred years earlier, the prophet Isaiah also saw this kingdom. A place where the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame leap, and the mute sing for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6); a place where weapons become farm implements, (2:4), where justice is brought to His people (65:21-23), and where the deserts will blossom (35:1).
Then a Man from Galilee appeared on the scene who made blind folks see and lame men leap; who said “the kingdom of God has arrived,” as He healed and cleansed and delivered (Matthew 12:28).
Luxury cars will rust, and the “kingdom of things” will collapse. Jesus told us to seek the kingdom of God instead (Matthew 6:33) and to pray and work for its reality on earth (Matthew 6:9-13).
Will we invest in that kingdom and resist the temptations of the “kingdom of things”?
More:
May Your kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
Next:
In what ways are you pursuing the wrong “kingdom”—seeking affluence, possessions, and wealth for yourself? How should the values of God’s kingdom guide your dreams, career choice, and lifestyle today?
mysavinggrace on May 7, 2010 at 5:00 am
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” – Phil. 3:8
Indeed, knowing Christ has made me see that NOTHING compares to Him. No knowledge can compare to the knowledge of His salvation and love, no “holy” and great man can ever compare to my beloved Saviour.
I am neither smart, nor talented, nor stand out, but God has chosen to reveal Himself and His Truth to me. What awesome privilege. A privilege that no amount of money on this earth can ever buy 🙂 Thank You Lord!
And than you, Sheridan. God bless you!
Soldier4Christ on May 7, 2010 at 7:21 am
When we think of the kingdom of things and just how fast those things can be taken away we don’t have to look far. Just think of all the people in places like New Orleans or Tennessee where flooding has wiped away so many of the things that people have acquired. We humans buy so much stuff and really it is all rubbish compared to the love and satisfaction that is found in our Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul G on May 7, 2010 at 8:47 am
We have almost been overrun by the “kingdom of things”. I do believe God is calling us back to the simple things in life – and most importantly – placing Him first in all aspects of our lives.
sheridan voysey on May 9, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Amen to that, Paul.
Paul G on May 7, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Gina – I do so agree with you – I’m reminded of Jesus in Math 6 – “to seek Him first” – About 4 years ago my wife & I began making it a practice to get up an hour earlier to spend the 1st hour of the day in prayer and reading His Word. It is perhaps the most valuable thing we have done in over 30 years as Christians.
Paul G on May 7, 2010 at 2:37 pm
In the words of Jim Elliot – (not an exact quote) -” It is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to get what he can not lose.”
sheridan voysey on May 9, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Hi Ted,
No, my final question was not exactly rhetorical. At least for me and many of my friends here in Australia, the kingdom of things is an attractive distraction to many of us Christians – buying more and more things, gadgets, toys, clothes, and other items to improve our personal status. I sometimes wonder how much we actually realise how ingrained consumerism is in us. I only see the contrast starkly when I visit the developing world. Believers there have so little, yet so much (God!).