“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase; this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Ecc. 5:10-13
Today’s daily devotional
“I have a plan, and its not to stay in a dump like this.” Porsche puckered her lips as she leaned closer to the mirror, applying her mascara gracefully. She was a statuesque blonde with big hips. Her button nose always pointed a bit higher when she spoke, even if the girl she was speaking to was a foot shorter.
It was about fifteen minutes until the showroom would be open. I looked down the row of half-dressed girls misting on perfume, covering tattoos and getting dressed in outfits that left little to the imagination.
Porsche was different. She was distant, aloof and usually didn’t give anyone the time of day unless she thought it was going to take her somewhere. I knew her random tidbit was a juicy morsel among the usual empty chatter.
“So, what is this plan of yours?” I gave it a shot; maybe today she would warm up a little.
“These girls are so dumb. The real money is in a real club. I just joined East Bank Club. I’m going to find myself a millionaire and get outta here.” She smiled in approval of her own reflection in the mirror. But the icy look in her eyes did not match the curve in her lips.
The East Bank Club is an exclusive members only establishment that flaunts its hefty membership fees and high-end clientele. I always assumed the wealthy were the only people who joined. But, apparently women who were shopping for rich husbands were also allowed in, as long as they paid the fee.
Not too long after our conversation, another dancer at work tossed me a local magazine.
“Good. One less blonde in here means that there is less competition for me.” She curled her lip as if she just got rid of a virus. This girl was blonde, but that was about the only thing she had in common with Porsche.
I flipped to the page she folded. In a beautiful portrait photo, I recognized her painted on smile. Porsche was donning a large rock on her hand while a handsome man was gazing lovingly at her. This was not only her formal engagement announcement, but also the last I ever saw of her in that strip club.
About a decade later, I ran into her at a coffee shop. The woman standing in front of me held her head in such a familiar way. No one I knew ever mastered the art of steely nobility quite like Porsche did. When she turned to let me order, she was just as stunning as I remembered.
“How are you? The last I time I saw you it was in Magnificent Mile Magazine. Amazing.” I said while I winked at the barista to make my usual order.
“Well, thank you.” She kept her cool demeanor. “I am doing well under the circumstances. I am going through a divorce now.” She glanced down. I noticed an unfamiliar look on her face. It was vulnerability.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I couldn’t think of anything more comforting to say. I did not know her well enough to console her with anything that wasn’t cliché.
“That’s life, right? You can’t get what you want and when you do, it isn’t really what you wanted in the end.” She grabbed her late’ and Birkin bag quickly; as if she regretted the words she couldn’t take back.
Ecc. 5:10-13 says that when we try to attain riches the easy way, we are signing up for a world of endless troubles. There is no satisfaction that can fill a heart that is ruled by greed. The very greed that propels us is the one that will eat us alive from the inside out. Some things are worth holding out for, even if they don’t impress your neighbors. They are the things you can’t put a price tag on.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
The world is searching for peace. It is dying for fulfillment, meaning and security.
All these things can only be found in a personal relationship with you, God.
Lord, help me to be greedy for you. Because when you answer that prayer every other blessing is possible for my life. The riches of this world fade quickly. After the luster is gone, there is nothing of value to hold onto anymore.
I want to put my time, energy and effort into something that will increase in value over time. In Jesus’ precious name, I open my heart to seeing life and experiencing it in the deepest way possible. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s daily devotional.
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan