We read in the Old Testament book of Joshua the account of the falling of the city of
Jericho to the Israelites, who were now under the leadership of Joshua after the death
of Moses. One of the commands given to the Israelites before attacking Jericho, was
that they were not to take any of the spoils from the battle, for Jericho had been cursed
by God. After this victorious battle, Joshua sent his men to the city of A-i, but he did
not know that God's anger had been kindled against the Israelites because of one mans
disobedience. They suffered a grave defeat at the hands of the Amorites as a result.
Joshua found out about the sin of Achan and the situation was dealt with. Achan had
been enticed with the spoils of the world.
1 John 2:15 & 16 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,
if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in
the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not
of the Father, but is of the world."
Living in this materialistic world, it is so easy to get caught up in the "want, want, want"
mentality. Especially with Christmas on the horizon, this becomes even more common
place. However, the life of the true believer should not be on worldly possessions, on
the accumulation of wealth and things. Our heart should be set on the eternal, not the
temporal. Everything we have in this life will disappear when we enter glory, except
what we have done for Christ!
Achan (whose name means "trouble") fell into sin because of the "lust of the eyes."
Joshua 7:21 "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and
two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then
I coveted them, and took them:" Anything that takes the place of God in our lives,
is to Him, the accursed thing. God wants first place in our lives; Colossians 1:18b
"That in all things, He might have the pre-eminence." Does He have it?
In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, we find these words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Is your heart entangled with the so called treasures of this earth? The treasures of the
world will not last, they will only lead you into sin. Achan, lost all he had stolen, plus his
own life. Sin has consequences. But the life that is immersed in Christ will be blessed of
God. In Luke chapter 10 we find Jesus rebuking Martha for her complaint, that all her
sister Mary was doing, was sitting at His feet listening to Him, instead of helping her;
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing
is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from
her."
What about you, is your heart taken up with the things of this world, or have you chosen
that "good part," which will not be taken away from you? Achan choose the things of this
world, and he lost all; Mary choose Christ, that "good part"...what will you chose today?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Helen H. Lemmel
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