Living like a king…

In the summer of 1994, I sold nearly everything I owned and moved to Palestine, Texas. After spending a few nights with the Pennington Family, then Elmo and Letha King kindly allowed me to stay with them while I found a place to rent. Eventually, I rented a room from an El Toro Mexican Restaurant coworker. Most of my belongings were in plastic bags, and I found a mattress to sleep on the floor. Despite the circumstances, I don’t recall feeling sad during my seven months there. I was busy working, taking classes at Tyler Junior College, and exploring East Texas.

In January 1995, I packed everything into my 1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 and headed south to Temple Terrace to attend Florida College. I often think about my time living and working “behind the pine curtain,” especially when I struggle with contentment and purpose. Getting caught up in the pressure to see things through material eyes is so easy.

Today, we face immense pressure to gather things to be happy. This constant chase for material wealth stands in stark contrast to the lifestyle of King George I of Britain. Despite his royal status and wealth, the luxuries he enjoyed in the early 18th century are modest compared to the comforts and conveniences we take for granted today. We are all richly blessed beyond what we need and, in fact, already live like and beyond kings of this earth. 

The Bible speaks to this pursuit of material wealth and the importance of contentment:

• “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, ESV)
• “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Proverbs 15:16, ESV)
• “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (Isaiah 55:2, ESV)

The New Testament also offers wisdom on this subject:

• ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21, ESV)
• “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13, ESV)
• “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, ESV)

True contentment and purpose are found not in material possessions but in a life centered around faith and pursuing the riches of the true Kings kingdom. 

So, where are our treasures being laid?

‌‌~PW 🌮🛶