My favorite character in the classic movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is not Charlie, or Willy Wonka; it's Veruca Salt. Remember her? She was the spoiled little brat who wanted everything the world had to offer and she wanted it NOW! My love for her character stems from the truth she demonstrates about the human condition. We want what we want and we want it NOW!
As Christians we know this world is not our home and yet we consistently fall prey to Veruca Salt syndrome. Our inheritance is not in the terrestrial realm but in the celestial. We think what the world has to offer looks grand, but it cannot compare to what awaits. Sadly, we often exchange an inheritance in the here and now for one in the hereafter.
I was reminded of this fact this morning while reading in the book of Numbers 32:1-5. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh asked for an inheritance just outside the promised land because the land was good for cattle. They looked around and determined that what the promised land offered couldn't be any better than what was before them. They were sadly mistaken! God accommodated their request and they got their inheritance outside of the promised land (Numbers 34:14-15). I reminded of the passage in Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus tells his follows to lay up treasure in heaven where no one can take it, and it cannot be corrupted. Right before that passage he talks about a group of people who are overly concerned about earthly rewards and notoriety - he says they have their reward. Meaning, they wanted the things of this world and they received what they sought. However, they will miss out on what the Father truly wanted to give them - an eternal inheritance.
The two and half tribes of Israel missed out on what God had for them because they made a decision based upon what they saw instead of what God asked of them. Their hearts where on the treasures of this world rather than on God. I'm sure they had very nice cattle ranches in Gilead but they couldn't compare for what awaited them in Canaan. The materials of the world are attractive, but don't be fooled, they cannot compare to the inheritance that awaits those who faithfully follow Jesus.
Recent Comments