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I'm blessed to live in a wealthy suburban community. I heard a preacher quote some statistics on Saturday evening, which said that the average family income in this community is $82,000 a year. Of course, living on a disability pension and having a wife that works half time, we don't even come near the half way point.

The community is full of beautiful homes. Most families have two or more cars and the high school parking lots are filled with cars that cost more than I make in three years. Designer clothing abounds. People have all the latest toys. Husband and wife are usually ensconced in a successful career.

All should be bliss and looks wonderful on the surface.

Appearances can be deceiving.

Despite all the wealth, the toys and the successful careers, the lives are as empty as those in the poorest of ghettos. It's just harder to see behind the facade of big houses and designer labels.

Drug problems are rampant amongst the youth. Teenage prostitution rings are being run. Abuse and divorce are as high or higher than any place else. People feel lonely, isolated and they are hurting. Suicide rates are high.

Don't be fooled by appearance, it's not the big bucks, fancy house, or successful career that brings a solution to life's problems. In fact those things often bring more emptiness.

The apostle Paul understood this well. He had been a successful Pharisee of good breeding and high social status. He had also lost everything more than once. He had found the secret to contentedness.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

Even amongst Christians, we vie to find our contentment in the things of this world. It's ironic because the contentment we seek is already there in Holy Spirit who lives in us. All we need to do is to look to Him instead.

When we will learn that the things of this world won't cut it?

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Matthew 8:34-38 NIV

True success and true contentment are found in serving God. If anyone would know, it would be King Solomon who had it all and found it all to be meaningless in the long run. He finally understood.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

Don't be fooled by appearances. Trust God and find what you're looking for in Him.

Until next time, may you look to the things that are eternal rather than the things of this world to give you what you truly need.

Be blessed.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!

Kevin

E-mail Kevin

Copyright 2003, K.F. "Kevin" Corbin. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

About Kevin Corbin I am a Canadian who came to know Jesus while in my 30's. I write both fiction and non fiction, for Christian and non Christian audiences in a variety of genre. An active member of Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship, my work has been featured on the web, as well as in a variety of local, regional, national and international newspapers and magazines. It is my prayer that my writing will edify the body of believers and point non-believers in the direction of Jesus. To Him be all the glory forever. Kevin's web site

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