Another Monday, another opportunity to say thank you

A work colleague ordered a pair of black-and-white brogues from Net-a-Porter and they just arrived in an elegant black bag with a big bow. I found myself stealing two minutes to browse the website, gazing folornly at beautiful things I cannot afford.

I think it's time to offer up some gratitude.

No sin ensnares me like covetousness, and I suspect I'm not alone. JC Ryle has some encouragement for those of us battling the sickness of Want. 

Greatness and riches are a perilous possession for the soul. Those who seek to have them know not what they seek. They lead men into many temptations. They are likely to fill the heart with pride, and to chain the affections down to things below. "Not many mighty, not many noble are called." "How hardly shall they that have riches enter intothe kingdom of God" (I Cor. 1:26; Mk. 10:23).

Do we envy the rich and the great? Does our heart sometimes say, "oh, that I had their place, and rank, and substance?" Let us beware of giving way to such feelings. The very wealth which we admire may be gradually sinking its possessors down into hell. A little more money might be our ruin. Like Herod, we might run into every excess of wickedness and cruelty. "Take heed, and beware of covetousness. "Be content with such things as ye have" (Lk. 12:15; Heb. 13:5).

We are most of us far too ready to "seek great things" in this world: let us "seek them not" (Jer. 45:5). To have a place and a title and a position in society is not nearly so important as people think. It is a great sin to be covetous and worldly and proud: but it is no sin to be poor. It matters not so much what money we have, and where we live, as what we are in the sight of God. Where are we going when we die? Shall we live forever in heaven? These are the main things to which we should attend.

And on that note - giving praise for the blessings, big or small:

#156 Two weeks of sibling love for a weary father
#157 Glorious blue skies inviting another autumn cycle through the park
#158 Buying lovely things to give away
#159 Pie and mash - hearty soulfood after a long day of errands
#160 Communal Sunday lunch and tea - sharing life as well as food
#161 Tea and knitting on a manic Monday
#162 Much-needed encouragement to live intentionally
#163 A warm place to come home to
#164 Homecooked love
#165 White chocolate and raspberries