Jul 1991 - Editorial

What a wealth of instruction is embodied in the Scriptures of Truth. If there was one thing which contributed most to the downfall of Israel as God's people it was materialism. They used their money and wealth to acquire idols which displaced their love for the Lord and the doing of His will. The parables concerning riches are used this month to teach us lessons confirmed by the apostle Paul when he wrote of the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10).

There is a clear relationship between our hearts and what we acquire and possess. The Lord Jesus said that our hearts will be in the same place as our treasures. Today the believer's spiritual blessings far exceed any material gain or acquisition on earth. So He encouraged His disciples to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, then their daily needs would be added unto them (Mat. 6:33). When we do this the things of the world become strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

It was Solomon who wrote "God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" (Eccl. 7:29). The inventor, designer and production engineer, together with a skilled work force have produced the marvels of this technological age. In Focus we see the goal of all knowledge growth, information technology, communication skills and the many running to and fro (Dan. 12:4). These are the things of the world which cultivate the loftiness and haughtiness of man which will be brought low (Is. 2:11,12,17). Do we not long for the day when the earth will be "full of the knowledge of the LORD" and "filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Is. 11:9; Hab. 2:14)?

unknown | Jul 1991
Editorial