Many of us live very comfortable lives. We do not need to be told how wealthy the country of America is or how luxuriously most of its citizens are living. We are aware of the incredible level of convenience we experience. We enjoy the freedoms and rights of this nation every day. I live a very blessed, comfortable life, and I love it.
We are not to feel guilty for the things that God has blessed us with, but rather view these blessings with an attitude of gratefulness and wisdom. Our blessings are not merely tools of comfort and enjoyment, but opportunities of goodness, hospitality, and good stewardship for the Lord’s Kingdom. Comfort becomes dangerous when it dulls our dependence on God and our zeal for His kingdom. We ought to view our blessings with gratitude, attributing them to our gracious God. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). We would do well to remember, however, that life focused on comfort can bring spiritual dangers.
Living a comfortable and convenient life can train us to become complacent or apathetic if we allow it. There is a kind of comfort that becomes greedy, searching for more convenience and less work. When that happens, our work for the kingdom can become hindered. How does this dangerous comfort manifest itself? Perhaps it takes its form in the lack of the desire to get to know our family in Christ. Maybe it looks like avoiding conversations with those in the world, limiting our outreach and ability to evangelize. It could even limit the generosity we show to the less fortunate around us. Most dangerously, a priority of comfort can lead to a half-hearted relationship with Christ. This kind of relationship with God is only pursued when it is convenient for us, avoiding any extra work or effort. The consequences can lead to an inconsistent prayer life, Bible reading being placed on the back burner, and a relationship with God being weakened.
What is the solution to this dangerous comfort? The solution is not to get rid of everything that makes us comfortable. While Jesus tells the Rich Young Ruler to sell his possessions (Matthew 19), we are not specifically called to rid ourselves of all material things in our lives. Instead, what matters greatly is where our hearts are. Are there things that make your life comfortable but stand in the way of your relationship with God? If so, Jesus begs you to make Him your priority, even if it involves the purging of such distractions. Has a comfortable life led you to apathy in your walk
with Christ? God calls us to devote ourselves to growth and to work. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul shows the brethren how he had not yet attained his spiritual goal but continued pressing on toward his calling. If Paul was determined to push on in his kingdom work rather than becoming complacent, then we ought to grow with the same resolve.
The things of this life that make us comfortable, whether it is material blessings, freedoms, or easy access to God’s word, are all wonderful things. We should view these blessings with gratitude and resolution. They are not hindrances, but opportunities to be wise and useful stewards for the Lord. God has invested many blessings in us, so what will we offer back to Him? 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” The call here is one of action, involving the pursuit of godliness. The Christian walk is not accidental and careless, but active and intentional. What matters is whether we choose a stagnant life of apathy and ease, or one of growth and work. The key is to push ourselves outside of our “comfort zone” for God’s will. We are faced with an amazing opportunity and responsibility to use these blessings for the work of the kingdom. Let’s be wise and aware of the dangerous comfort of this life. Let’s choose to give thanks and praise to our God for the blessings He has given us and use them for His kingdom.
—Joshua Brown