Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
-[tag]Isaiah 55[/tag]:2 (ESV)

This verse makes me think about playing video games. I must admit, I enjoy a good video game now and then. My favorite game tends to be NCAA football where I can win with my boys, the [tag]Yellow Jackets[/tag] (go Tech, and yes…I know…it is only in “X-box-land” that they win the National Title). I like to take Tech through a good ol undefeated season, go to the championship game, and walk all over my opponents. It makes a guy feel good. The only problem is, I’m the only one that appreciates the victory, because the game is nothing more than a fantasy. In reality Tech is playing in the Gator Bowl rather than for the National Title.

Why do we spend our money on things we don’t really need (that which is not bread) and work for things that don’t last (that which does not satisfy)? Everywhere I look I see examples this in both secular and Christian [tag]culture[/tag]. In secular culture I see people spending all their [tag]money[/tag] on big houses, better cars or expensive clothes, while neglecting to save money for more important things (like…their child’s college education). In Christian culture I see churches paying outlandish salaries, building larger more extravagant buildings and often neglecting the Biblical mandate to feed and clothe the poor. I see Christians spending plenty of time and effort working inside the walls of the church but overlooking the work that needs to be done for the people in their neighborhood.

I think the point of this verse is to call us into focus. Playing video games isn’t bad, it’s just not the best use of our time. Buying a nice house or building a large church isn’t bad, but we should be cautious to make sure it’s best. Isaiah is calling us to “eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food”. So, maybe it’s time to put down the X-box controller and pick up the Bible. Maybe it’s time to get a ride that is “not-so-pimped” and give away some cash to someone who needs it. Maybe it’s time to focus less on church socials and more on church service projects. Maybe it’s time to get focused, put what’s best in front of us and enjoy that other good stuff with whatever time is left.

I think it’s time we all dug in to some rich food rather than settling for coco puffs and pop tarts.