Affluenza
In the Bible, there is a story about a wealthy man. He prepared a great feast for many of his neighbors. When the meal was prepared, he sent a message saying that everything was ready and everybody was welcome. But no one had time for him or his hospitality. One by one, they explained that their possessions, property, and families demanded that they respectfully decline his invitation.
The Cost of Affluenza
When those who were first invited refused to attend the supper, the wealthy man was angry. He said, If they won’t come then I will give this meal to whosoever will come. He sent his servants to invite the poor, the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless to come and dine. All those who had nothing came when they were invited. They came because when you have nothing you have time. The wealthy man then proclaimed those who had no time for him would never get anything from him.
The Danger of Affluenza
I wish to make this clear. This story is a parable. It teaches the sad truth that many people will miss Heaven because their stuff demands all their time. Today, most of us are blessed with abundant knowledge, possessions, and toys. Still, we must be careful because our affluence can infect us with a deadly disease called Affluenza. People who are infected with Affluenza are convinced they neither need nor have time for God. If you don’t have time for God now, He will not have time for you later.
One Result of Affluenza
A rich young man once asked Jesus how he could enter Heaven. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give away the proceeds, and follow Him. Sadly, the young man missed Heaven because he could not turn loose of his stuff.
Affluenza
Does this mean that riches and wealth are evil? No! It means that we must understand that all we have comes from God. If you love your stuff more than you do Jesus, there will be no place for you in Heaven. If you don’t have time for God now, He won’t have time for you later.
“Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’
But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’
Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
Luke 14:15-24 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.14.15-24.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
a real truth that many mistake for blessings – too busy doing what I want but never considering what God has done for me is very dangerous.
You have sent a strong message detailing truth. May many hear with their hearts all that you have said.