Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
The elder and apostle brings profound wisdom within this statement. He is not disparaging earning a living, keeping a roof over your head, putting food on the table, having adequate transportation, etc. Neither is he dissing success or nice things. John is speaking to matters of the heart.
If you desire such things more than God, this is the problem. John reveals that these desires of the heart can quickly become idols in your life, supplanting XLII and getting in the way of serving others, for this is not the will of he who gives you Life, Breath, and Everything.
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
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