What do I want? I want to follow Jesus with my whole heart. What else do I want? Well, more money is always good. More sex is always enjoyable. And more power over my circumstances is always helpful. So I have my main goal, and a few sub-goals.

That’s how we do it, right? When our mission agency has more money this month than last, we’re all rejoicing. It’s always good to have more money. Is it? How much is enough? Is it better to collect it than deploy it?

“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:33-35

Is more sex always better? Is it OK to prioritize satisfying our own desires? What’s the difference between us and pagans?

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

None of us like the chaos and uncertainty of our lives being out of control. We feel better when we have more power over what happens to us in a day. But is it our job to worry about running our own lives?

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:31-34

These unspoken sub-goals lurk unquestioned and unexamined in our lives. But what if they’re not good goals? What if pursuing these things is the very thing that’s keeping us from being fruitful in the kingdom?

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires [often translated lusts] for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” — Mark 4:18-19

Our behaviours reveal our goals. And it seems that our goals are to obtain our own comfort, provision and control without needing to depend on God. It doesn’t work like that.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” — John 15:5-8

Time for a new goal. Abiding in Jesus and letting him provide what I need. Disciplining myself not to pursue the things of this world.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:15-17

This is not about just trying to pursue these things less, or having them in better balance. It’s about recognizing that I shouldn’t be pursuing them at all. This is a primary theme of Jesus’ teaching. God is with the poor, lonely and powerless.

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.” — Luke 6:20-26