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Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Possessions
Society often tells us that to have a fulfilling life, we must follow a specific path: study hard, get into a prestigious school, earn a good degree, and land a lucrative career. This journey supposedly leads to wealth, joy, security, and value. But the Bible teaches that loving wealth will never satisfy us, just as Ecclesiastes 5:10 states, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” Many rich people know how to grow their wealth, yet greed keeps them perpetually unsatisfied.
Take George Eastman, the founder of Kodak. He went from a low-income background to being one of the wealthiest men through his innovations and business skills. However, despite his success, he suffered from a painful spinal condition and took his own life, feeling he had nothing left to look forward to. His story shows that even vast wealth can seem insignificant in the face of great suffering.
As a pastor, I’ve visited many places, including impoverished areas. In the Dominican Republic, I saw children playing baseball with makeshift equipment, full of joy and laughter despite their lack of material possessions. It struck me that in prosperous countries like the US, such simple joy is rare.
The parable of the rich fool tells of a successful man who planned to store his wealth and enjoy life (Luke 12:16–21). Despite his virtues—honesty, foresight, and hard work—God considered him a fool. Why? Because he sought to fill his life’s emptiness with material possessions. Many people today feel an emptiness they try to fill with wealth, luxury, and entertainment, but these things never bring true and lasting joy.
If we find our lives meaningless, we need to seek a new direction. The heart’s emptiness can only be filled by focusing on the soul and finding satisfaction in Jesus Christ. The rich fool failed to understand that life is fragile and beyond our control. God deemed him a fool because he assumed he would have time to enjoy his wealth, forgetting that our lives are ultimately in God’s hands (Luke 12:20). Wealth isn’t inherently wrong, but we must consider if we are rich toward God. When we meet our Creator, will we be empty-handed?
Let’s reflect on what truly matters and make the decision to accept Jesus, follow His direction, and resist the lure of materialism. Just as Matthew 6:19-21 says: “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.” By doing so, we can live valuable, meaningful lives and be pleasing to God.
We warmly invite you to come to the Chicago True Jesus Church’s Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation in September.
September 26-29, 2024
Thursday, September 26,2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, 27-28 September, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Our church’s address is as follows:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps
In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org