Never Enough
We have just returned from quite an adventure in Peru. We traveled along the Apayaku and the Yanayaku rivers, tributaries of the mighty Amazon River. While ministering in the Loreto region of Peru, I was able to track down Chief Wawa of the Yagua Tribe. Six years ago I took his picture and on this trip we had our picture taken together in one of the remote villages deep in the rainforest.
The Yagua Indians are very precious people who are open to the gospel. In addition to conducting our usual ministry efforts, Vacation Bible School, presenting solar powered digital Bibles and showing children’s movies on solar powered DVD players, we also did something a bit different. We introduced solar powered light bulbs to many villages along the Amazon River.
My concern was that this wonderful invention would dramatically change the lives of the Yagua and potentially cause greed amongst the tribal members. These lights bulbs have the capacity to provide light at night, allowing children to read and families to conduct activities after sunset, which could change the dynamics of a tribe.
There are certainly many advantages to progress, new inventions and improving people’s way of life. However, there are often many pitfalls and damaging consequences as well. We have a stern warning given to us in Luke 12:15 (Amplified) from Christ:
“And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.”
Too often we confuse our wants with our needs. Greed is simply wanting those things we do not possess. Do you spend more time complaining about what you don’t have instead of thanking God for what you do possess? Truly, our greatest treasures in this life have no monetary value. They include salvation, family and friends, a place of worship and a relationship with Jesus Christ, which ultimately should produce joy unspeakable and abiding contentment. Don’t buy into the world’s philosophy of never having enough in this life, but instead, give praise to God for all that He has provided.
