More for Me, Less for Thee

"He was seven years in building it (the Temple).

_Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house."_

~1 Kings 6:38-7:1

What a pitifully, revealing statement about Solomon's love for personal luxury over a love for the Lord! He spent 7 years building the temple but 13 years building his own house. Ah! But are we willing to turn that question around and let it prick us?

Do we spend far more time, resources and zeal in our own selfish pursuits as opposed to God and His kingdom? Do I spend far more time in those things that take my mind off of Christ than the time spent with Him in the study of His word, in prayer, fellowship and in service to Him? Do I have greater excitement and zeal for every other engagement than I do for God's kingdom? And all the while as I spend time in the things of the world, Christ Jesus is quietly interceding for me at the right hand of God with nail-pierced hands and feet, praying that I should not fall away.

Brother and sister in Christ, if you are convicted in your heart concerning an ungodly use of your time in any way, then let us at once go to Christ, the Apple Tree and "delight to sit in His shade". Let us "hold Him and never let go". Friends, you would be hard-pressed to find a man or a woman in all the earth who has spent much time with Christ and regretted it.

I would not have any of my readers be ignorant of the reality that choosing to spend time with Christ and in His work is a daily battle because the distractions of this world, our own sinful nature and the devil all three, viciously strive to offer us tempting alternatives to Christ. But also be encouraged that the battle is won one decision at a time, and with every decision, it becomes easier and easier to choose communion with Christ above all else.

Let us then without any delay, gaze into the face of Christ, the man of Galilee in His word and embrace Him dearly in prayer, our hearts would ache to leave His side. Having tasted of His sweetness we shall lose our appetite for the glitter and excitement of the world and ever lay our heads upon His bosom in intimate communion with Him.

Draw me nearer, nearer,

Nearer blessed Lord

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer,

Nearer blessed Lord

To Thy precious bleeding side.

~Fanny Crosby, 1875