Revelation: Church of Laodicea, You Are Far Too Easily Pleased, Part 1 | June 9, 2023

“It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”   ― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

When I think about the church of Laodicea, it would seem that they were far too easily pleased with their material wealth. In fact, it’s easy for us also to be satisfied with the world’s wealth in ways that keep us from experiencing the eternal wealth God offers us.

Revelation 3:17-18 ESV

 ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

In verse 17, Jesus calls them poor, blind, and naked, even though they have material wealth, a medical salve to heal their eyes, and are known for their garment industry. In verse 18, Jesus counsels them to buy 3 things from Him instead. What is the difference between what the world offers and what Jesus offers?

Luke 12:15-21 ESV

¹⁵ And he said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ¹⁶ And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; ¹⁷ and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

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Is there any area in your own life where you are tempted to store up for yourself material wealth instead of relying on God’s provision? How is it distracting you from doing the good works of the gospel?