Monday, December 2, 2024
I used to be a slave. A slave to what? I used to think that my employer was my source of my income and that lack of money was my obstacle.
One of my friends is a welder and works outside all day, sixty hours weekly. He’s in extreme heat or cold, has to wear heavy protective gear, has to work on his back, or has to climb to high places and deal with smoke and sparks. But the pay is outstanding! In a recent conversation, I asked him if he liked it, and in so many words said, “not really, but the money is good.”
He really wants to build a community of rental cabins in a mountainous area of rural Colombia where he owns a plot of land. He wants to live off that land and rent the cabins to tourists. He’s welding to have the means to do that. So like many, his life is a means to an end. His brother is in a low-income job, working the same, grueling hours. When asked if he likes what he does, I get the same, wobbly answer. He too feels enslaved to income.
How can I escape the shackles? As Jesus reminds us, you cannot serve two masters. You either serve the misnomer that you need money or you serve what you desire. I now serve my desires. I know that what I want is leading me to earthly treasure. Earthly treasure does not lead me.
What you want might seem to be leading you away from income. But isn’t that nice? You can live as if money is no object and if you choose, you can do that now. If you don’t believe me, you’re not ready to be free from the master. If you do, then you are ready to be The Master.