The Foolishness Of Self-Sufficiency
One of man's greatest faults and follies is the feeling of self-sufficiency. He seeks and searches for success, succor and security. Self pride builds an empire of personal independence, but after a lifetime of striving and struggling, others have to replace his helpless body in the ground.
But what then? "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II Cor. 5:10). "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psa. 49:6,7). "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death" (Eccl. 8:8).
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth .... The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Lk. 12:15-20). "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mk. 8:36,37).
Consider these questions and the poverty of your soul; let Christ deliver it from the destitution of sin and give you the riches of grace, the forgiveness of sins.