Banned to the deserted island

1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

A sailor who was shipwrecked on a desert island was captured by some of the natives of that island. They carried him off on their shoulders to their village, where he was sure he would end up being the main course. But instead, they put a crown on his head and made him king. He was enjoying all the attention he was receiving but was growing a little suspicious. He started making inquiries and discovered that their custom was to crown a stranger king for a year and at the end of that year the crowned king would be sent to a deserted island where he was allowed to starve to death.

Obviously, this did not appeal to the sailor so he devised a plan. Since he was the king and the natives obeyed his every order, he ordered them to ship supplies to the island where he would be sent when the year was up. He had them clear the land and build him a hut and plant enough vegetables and fruits for quite an adequate garden. When his year was up and was banned to the deserted island, he lived in abundance.

How are we using the good gifts God has graciously given us? Wealth and authority can be a dangerous thing -- or it can be a blessing. It can be used to destroy and tear down or to store up good things in heaven.

Dear Lord, we ask You  to help us to be wise in our attitude toward our material possessions so that we might not end up being rich in things and poor with God. In The Name of Jesus, Amen.