The ONE THING People Give Up for Happiness
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
All for the want of a horseshoe nail.
This cautionary tale is most often used as a reminder that every little act can have major consequences. It is linked to the life of Richard III, a tyrant King of England. Legend has it his fateful end came on the battlefield because a messenger carrying vital information never reached him. The messenger failed to reach Richard because the horseshoe put on the messenger’s horse had one too few nails.
Usually this children’s poem is to encourage us to work harder up front, doing the small things with diligence so we can reap the greater reward later in life; and I want to honor that ideal, but today I want us to maybe take a sideways look on this principle. Not to gain, but to give up.
In our scripture this week (Matthew 19:16-26) we meet “a man [who] came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?'” He was hoping to find (as we all do) that “one thing” we need to add to my life that’s supposedly missing. Advertising is full this idea, especially around the new year:
“Eat this ONE food…”
“A new family by Friday…”
“One trick the credit card companies don’t want you to know…”
“The last [whatever] you’ll ever need!”
Still, Jesus appeases the man and reminds him to follow the commandments:
“You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matt 19:18-22)
We are always on the lookout for the new thing that will finally satisfy the intangible craving inside us. But what if we already have what we need? What if adding only gets us farther from completion, not closer? Obviously, we will always need food and clothing, but how about the rest of it? At what point do we have “enough”?
For want of happiness a family.
For want of a family a penny.
For want of a penny a job.
For want of a job an extra weekend away…or two…or three…
For want of an extra weekend away…
What have you given up for some illusive target of happiness or security? Has any amount of money ever bought it in all your life?
I tried writing a lot of songs in my teenage years. Most of them are not worth repeating. But one song was birthed by a thought I have always remembered:
“Maybe not in gaining but in giving is the key; because my God will remember you, and that’s all you’ll ever need.”
Live humbly now so that you can enrich the lives of those around you.
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)