An old
adage says, “The best things in life are free.” There’s a lot of truth in that.
Some people, however, believe that the best things in life are expensive or
perhaps elusive. Recently I saw a sign that made me smile and think. It said,
“The best things in life are not things.” What a great way to say it! The value
of family, friends, and faith points us to the realization that what matters
most in life is all wrapped up in people and the Lord.
Solomon
was well qualified to speak about material things because he “surpassed all the
kings of the earth in riches and wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23). His
advice? “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make
themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Prov. 23:4-5). His
recommended course of action was, “Apply your heart to instruction, and your
ears to words of knowledge. . . . For surely there is a hereafter, and your
hope will not be cut off” (vv.12,18).
The best
things in life are the eternal riches that come from God’s goodness and grace
in Jesus Christ. We do not hold them in our hands, but in our hearts.
Our
greatest riches are the riches we have in God. (RBC)
