The man led the missionary who had led him to Christ through the slums of the major city hurriedly with a smile on his face, arriving at the shack made with cast off materials barely large enough to hold his wife and two children, and with great excitement, to show him the newest addition of what they called home, a single light bulb hanging from a threadbare wire.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1st Tim. 6:8)
I know people who claim to be saved by the grace of God who complain because their two-car garage is so full they cannot get their second car into it, who purchase items on credit with no thought whatsoever to Proverbs 22:7, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
The things of the world and Christ also, this is the mantra of many Christians, it is expected by them that He provide the ability for them to pay off debts they have incurred because they would not control their lusts, that He would hear and answer their prayers that they offer up during commercial breaks on the programs they watch, that He would bless them who do not sincerely praise His name, and call on Him only when the circumstances of their life become disadvantageous to their desires and wants.
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)
And so, they struggle through making the payments, husband and wife both working to, as they call it, make ends meet.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
And if He doesn’t, there’s always the credit cards.
One single light bulb. That is a true account I remember reading from years ago, joy and praise to the Most High for a single light bulb. Did this man then start praying for an indoor toilet? Carpet or wood to cover the dirt floor they slept on in that small one room shack? “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)
I wonder, how many people did that man witness to about the goodness and mercy of the Lord who thought it would be good to call upon Him so they also could get a light in their home, but not so the light of Jesus Christ would shine in their heart, how many honor Christ as long as they can keep obtaining and hold onto the stuff of the world they have, as long as their health holds up, as long as he keeps serving them?
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
There is nothing wrong with having great wealth, as long as you know who it is that gave it to you, as long as your heart serves Christ in it as well as it would if all of it was removed.
You must ask yourself this question then if you have many light bulbs in your house, are they gifts from the Lord, or temptations from Satan, are you struggling to make ends meet, or have you gone to the cross and found all you needed?
How many of your wants have been supplied because you would not wait on the Lord, how many have you determined to own because you would not wait?
