It's not about houses and paychecks

As I sat and read in Jeremiah chapter 12 this morning, I whole heartedly agreed with his question to God, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. Yet you know me, O Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you." I can totally relate to his thinking here. Jeremiah goes a little too far in the next verse where he asks God to drag them off like sheep to be slaughtered. I don't quite go that far in my frustration, but I do relate to the sentiment. Why God? Why do many other people prosper when I am trying to serve you and it seems that you won't let me prosper. God, you know me and you know I'm trying to follow you, so why won't you let me prosper like them? And the answer gently comes from the Lord, "because your understanding of what it means to prosper is incorrect. It's not about houses and paychecks."

When I think about that, I realize my own sin. While saying I'm trying to follow the Lord, I am actually holding an idol in my heart of...can you guess it? Money and possessions. Let's be honest as long as we are pulling back the curtain and looking at what I'm really striving for. When do I have the most peace? When I have money in the bank. When do feel the best about myself? When people see my home and say it's a nice home. When do I feel wealthy? When I can buy a gift for someone or buy someone's lunch and not worry about the money or take a nice vacation. So, I am sitting here claiming to God that I'm following him and he should let me prosper when in fact I am asking him to help me worship other idols. Somebody just took a 2x4 and smacked me into next week.

Prospering is not about houses and paychecks. Being at peace is not about knowing you have money in the bank. Peace of mind and true prosperous living comes from knowing that there is a God who loves me, has my best interest at heart, and promises to take care of me. So, I don't have to know the plan for next week or next month. I don't have to know His total plan for my life. I couldn't understand His total plan for my life if He tried to explain it to me. But I know He's good and I know He's trustworthy. So, guess what? I am at peace and I am prospering in many ways that will last longer than my house and my paycheck. By focusing on those things, I can reach for the heights of success.

...and do you remember what is the heights of success? If I have given glory to God today in the things I have done, I have reached the heights of success.