Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

From Henry’s Desk

“ … eat, drink, and be merry …” (Lk 12:19)

Now we all know that these words did not bring good results into the rich man’s life in Luke chapter 12.  As a matter of fact, his life was taken from him that very night.  What gives here?  Does God not want us to enjoy our life, enjoy our living?

But of course He does!  The words of the rich man did not come from a grateful heart, but from a heart satisfied with its own provision, his future secure by his own hands.  It was an attitude that says, “I have arrived!  I have need of nothing!” It is also shouts, “The ‘here and now’ is all that is important, this side of the grave is all that life consists of, and I have need of nothing and that is all that matters.”

God save us from satisfaction with this life, from counting on temporal treasures for our security, from fulfilling selfish ambitions.  1 Jn 3:15-17 (MSG) says,

“Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.”

God wants us to be satisfied in and enjoy Him.  He also wants us to enjoy living, and enjoy creation but without becoming distracted by them.  They are not the main thing -  He is.  God receives glory when we are satisfied in Him.  God receives glory when we enjoy living.  God receives glory when we enjoy creation.  God receives glory when our hearts are filled with gratitude to Him for life, living, creation, provision, etc.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NLT) says:

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work--whatever they do under the sun--for however long God lets them alive. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

So let’s thank God, live well, and enjoy living.  It is a gift from God.