Genesis 3:6

New King James Version

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

For Meditation

He worked as a wood splitter with only his axe as his companion in the tropical temperatures all day. Life was challenging for him, so somebody must take the blame, and why not Adam? He caused all of man’s problems by incurring the Lord’s judgment after the fall.

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life” (Gen. 3:17).

Whenever he cut into any wood with his axe, Mr. Woordcutter blamed Adam in a loud voice with a syncopated rhythm. His song caught the attention of this rich man who proposed a deal he couldn’t refuse. He was going on a long trip, and Mr. Woodcutter must move into his mansion as caretaker until his return. The rich man put everything in the house at the disposal of Mr. Woodcutter, except one room he should never enter. The door was beautiful and different from all the others. If Mr. Woodcutter could keep away from that room, Mr. Richman would sign the mansion to him as a gift upon his return.

There remained no more hard work for Mr. Woodcutter, so Adam could rest in peace in his grave. The man had a simple life now in a house fully stocked for personal enjoyment and with a promise beyond his wildest dream.

Days turned to weeks, and the months rolled by unnoticed. Mr. Woodcutter lacked nothing, so why was this door so attractive to him? Why the increasing curiosity? If the door was so beautiful, how could the inside look like? And he had the key to the room in his care! Couldn’t he take a quick peek to satisfy his curiosity? How would Mr. Richman know?

Do you see the dilemma the serpent worked out for Adam and Eve? (Gen. 3:1-5).

The last I checked, we all had this same sickness called covetousness. It comes with a deep-seated condition called greed. Advertisers have us as patients they never intend to heal.

Companies and organizations know how to take advantage of our sinful condition and steal us away from what is beneficial—a closer walk with God and our families. Who is content with their salary? How many turn down promotions or bonuses for the sake of God’s work or family? Is it any wonder marriages are hemorrhaging, and our children suffer from parental kwashiorkor? Unfortunately, it does not get better by our own devices.

Fortunately, God has a potent prescription for a sustained cure in 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

“For Godliness with contentment is great gain… But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Therefore, do yourself a favor and commit yourself to the caring hands of our Lord Jesus Christ who alone satisfies (Ps. 23:1-6; Isa. 58:11). As the Hebrews writer says:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5).

So, learn the secret of being content in all circumstances with Paul (Phil. 4:12), and may the Lord sustain you in every situation, amen. 

Shalom