Things do not control me!

Scripture Reference: Luke 18:22

A young and rich ruler of the Jews came to Jesus Christ inquiring about what he could do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus Christ referred him to the Ten Commandments.  The young man affirmed that he was a faithful student of the Law and diligent in his obedience to the commandments.

Jesus Christ went more deeply and asked the man to sell all of his possessions and give them to the poor, promising him treasure in heaven and the opportunity to be his disciple.  Without responding to the request or the invitation, the man walked away sorrowfully because he was unable to part with his possessions.

God desires for us to have the good desires of our hearts.  “Delight yourself also in the Lord and God will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4).” It is God’s will that we are successful, prosperous and that we enjoy the earth. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalms 24:1).” However, these things of the earth are for our enjoyment and not for our attachment.

When we are financially fit, we enjoy the things that money can buy then we are able to release them and let them go whenever necessary.  We are never to become so attached to anything in the physical world that we are unable to part with it.  We live in this world, but we are not a part of this world’s system (I John 2:15-17). We function and operate on the spiritual plane, a higher existence.  We control things.  Things are to control us.  We wear this world and its possessions like a loose garment, able to put it on and take it off.

Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Unity Temple of Truth Church, 511 Prescott St. S, St. Petersburg.