“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:2, NIV)

“Look at that beautiful car. Your neighbors will be jealous of you.”

“It’s a bit too much for me.”

“You can afford it. All you need is a small loan, which I will be happy to grant you. Your monthly installments will be small. Just imagine yourself driving that car. Your wife will be so proud of you!”

What would you do? Sadly, many people would take the car and within months, they would realize that they didn’t have enough money to make their payments. The only solution is to find another job, and suddenly they find ourselves living a nightmare, one that seems endless, and all they can think about is how to get rid of that car!

When we go outside our means to pay for something that looks attractive, we will end up being caught up in slavery, for working two jobs is truly a nightmare! Let’s remember what Jesus said: “No worker can serve two houses: he’ll either hate the first and love the second. You can’t serve both God and the bank.” (Luke 16:13, NIV)

There are people in this world who must decide between having an apartment or having food.

My youngest son went to New York City on a missions’ trip to help those in need. He learned that many people with jobs live like the homeless, sleeping and eating in their cars, because renting a room is quite expensive. They don’t see any other choice. On the other hand, there are those who have an apartment, but have no money left over for food. These stand in line every day at the soup kitchens or find themselves begging for food. These poor people are truly stuck. They live in a nightmare.

Let’s remember that the only one who likes us to be burdened with no hope is the evil one. That’s how he works. Steal our hope. Hope always exist, however, in the presence of our Heavenly Father. God’s advice is simple: “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

What is better: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

Hope is on the horizon. Don’t be burdened by material things that have no power to make you happy, for it is guaranteed that one day you will wonder: Why did I even buy this?

Rob Chaffart