By David ReayFriday 25 Apr 2014LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Genesis 3:1-6
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman,”Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said,’You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do,you will die.'”
4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it,and you will be like God,knowing both good and evil.”
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious,and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband,who was with her,and he ate it,too. (NLT)
There are some occasions in life when lots of good things come our way but we remain discontent. We get a secure new job but soon get irritated by our work colleagues. We buy a new house but start to covet the house next door. The children get a fresh start in a new school and we start finding fault in a teacher.
We can’t enjoy what we have because we want something more. Back in the beginning of human history,the first woman had just about the lot. The garden and all in it belonged to her,except for the fruit of one particular tree. Instead of enjoying all she legitimately had from the hand of God,she reached out for more. And with devastating consequences.
To overreach ourselves in this way is ultimately a failure to be thankful for what we have. It is a sign of greed. It is not enough to have what we have,we must have more. Eve focussed on the one fruit she couldn’t have rather than appreciating the many fruits she did have.
God invites us to enjoy what we have rather than greedily clutch after what we might want. The antidote to covetousness and greed and discontent is deep thankfulness,not morbid self-denial. Rather than grasping at the forbidden fruit,take what fruit he gives us. It will be enough.
Blessings
David Reay