Sunday, June 10, 2012

Be content! Be thankful!

1 Samuel 8: 19-20
But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! But we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles. NRSV

Some of us just do not know when to leave well enough alone. Now, here are the Israelites, clamoring for a king, despite Samuel’s warning of what a king would do to them. Part of their rationale for wanting a king is that others have a king and so too, they wanted one. Covetousness is never good. We must be content with what we have. What others have may not necessarily be good for us; secondly, we may not want to pay the price to have what others have. This is very relevant for us in today’s day and age. We see fancy movie stars and sports legend being paraded across the television screen and on the internet and we may think, “Oh what an easy life they have. Look how easily they earn millions. I wish I had that.” Do you really? Remember the Ten Commandments. They still apply. Do not covet what your neighbor has. So, today, be thankful that God has kept you alive to see this new day. All of your members and your faculties are intact. God is with you and all is well.