“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33

The story is told of a wealthy man who had many properties. He had sons and had given them every opportunity so they could demonstrate their leadership and unique capacity to properly manage those properties when he, their father, passed away. None of his children gave the man good reasons to think that what he had toiled for throughout his life would be in good care after him.

Contrary to his sons, the man had a servant who epitomized responsibility and accountability. He was all the old man was looking for in his own children and this endeared him to him. On the verge of dying, the old man called his sons and told them: “my sons, the time for me to go is drawing near. But, before that moment, I want you to look at all my properties and each of you will choose only one, not more. Once you have made your choices, all my remaining properties will go to my servant.”

Imagine the scene and you will easily figure out the children’s feelings and reactions. Nothing of that moved the old man. Finally, some of the children made their choices, identifying the property they thought was the most valuable. After his brothers were done with their choices, one of the sons told the father: “Daddy, I choose your servant.” The old man was puzzled at that display of wisdom and intelligence. By choosing the servant, that son had become lord of all the remaining properties of his father.

My brother and my sister, in that story, kindly replace the old man with God and his children with we, Christians, and you would understand the extent to which we oftentimes miss what is essential by clinging to ephemeral and accessory things.

The truth of the matter is that when we choose material things over God, these things will come to an end and that would bring us back to our former state. But, if out of love for God, we choose him, our provision will never run dry because we would have the source with us.

Dear reader, kindly reflect over this message and if you feel that you had chosen the gift over the giver, please repent and make the right choice now. God bless you.