The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 1 Timothy 6:10

According to an old fable, a fly discovered a tantalizing strip of flypaper. It looked so appetizing that he decided to claim it for himself. So, after chasing away all the other insects that threatened to share his find, he landed on its very edge and happily announced: "My flypaper!" Then he proceeded to partake of the tasty feast. However, in his desire to satisfy his appetite, he tried to walk around to get all he could. Soon his feet became firmly attached to the sticky surface. Realizing he couldn't move his legs, he began flapping his wings, but they too became mired. Finally, completely exhausted he gave up. It was then that the flypaper proudly exclaimed, "My fly!"

This fable portrays what happens to those who get caught in the trap of materialism. At first they say, "My possessions!" But after catering to the trinkets and pleasures of this world, they themselves are the ones who have been taken captive. They are being possessed.

Though there is nothing wrong with material possessions in themselves, it's what priority we give them that makes the difference. Only when Christ and His salvation are first in our lives are we freed from bondage to what is perishable.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, preserve us from enslavement to earthly things so our hope might rest in You alone. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 8-10    Mark 6:30-56

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