I am What I Have

I am What I have

I came across this interesting quote this morning.

Erich Fromm-- "If I am what I have and if I lose what I have who then am I?"

It brought to mind how we humans are so caught up in the world. I mean think of it.."I am what I have..." To many people this is the goal of life, to accumulate as much wealth and things as possible because after all, I am what I have and if I have more, then of course I am worth more and my status in the world grows proportionately. Bully!

But think about it a moment. This is exactly opposite of what Jesus taught, isn't it. Time and time again Jesus showed this thinking to be foolishness.

For the Christian, it is not what you have, but who you have, (and who has you!). It is not what you've accumulated, but what you have given away. It is not what you have stored up, but where you have stored it.

Indeed for the Christian, status in the world is already guaranteed. The Lord has said we all have status by virtue of us being children of God. We do not need to earn that. That is ours. As a Christian, we have the Seal of Redemption; The Holy Spirit of God living in us. The treasure we store, the most important treasure of all, our soul, we store in Heaven. As Jesus himself said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20

Maybe I was wrong at the beginning, maybe we are what we have. But what we have as Christians is not something we earn. What we have is not something we can brag about. What we have may not give us much status in this world. But what we have is priceless and was bought with a the greatest price that was ever paid.

Meditate on this during this Christmas time. Be thankful for what the Lord has done. Above all, take care of your treasure. The birthday we celebrate during this time of year was a gift to us, beyond measure.

Blessings All!

--El