Security Blankets - A Guest Post

I love sneak previews and samples, and today's devotion is just that. It's no coincidence that Jesus talked more about money than he did heaven or hell. We deal with money every day. How we gain it, spend it, give it, and invest it says much about our faith. 

My friend Martin Wiles has been through the financial fires. He's come through them not only with his faith intact, but even stronger than ever. And he's learned quite a few lessons along the way. He shares them in his new book, Grits & Grace & God.

And being the southern gentleman that he is, he graciously agreed to share an excerpt with us below. Enjoy Martin's wise words, leave a comment to share your thoughts, and order your copy of Grits & Grace & God today.

Security Blankets

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall (Proverbs 18:11 NIV).

On Peanuts, Lucy’s brother Linus drags around a blanket. Without it, his life falls apart. With it, he finds security and sanity. It’s common for children to have “security blankets.” They come in different shapes: stuffed animals, actual blankets, pacifiers, a favorite cup, or a thumb. My middle brother’s security blanket was a stuffed dog that he wanted beside him at all times.

Why do young children need security blankets? One explanation is that they’re stress reducers. That leads to a second question. How much stress can a young child possibly have? Probably more than we imagine when we remember they’re little people living in a very intimidating, big world.

Solomon says the wealthy hold on to their possessions as security blankets. They imagine their wealth is an impregnable wall. In the ancient world, walls surrounding cities were essential for adequate defense and protection. Cities without walls were very vulnerable. Nehemiah was disturbed when he discovered the returning exiles hadn’t rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 1:1-4).

Some people carry different types of security blankets into adulthood. Reading a book, going to the gym, seeing a therapist, taking a soothing bath, indulging in sinful or questionable activities, or meditating are just a few.

Not all security blankets are appropriate for believers…wealth being one of them. While wealth…in whatever form…isn’t evil in itself, it’s foolish to wrap ourselves in this security blanket at the expense of trusting God to drape us with His grace and comfort.

Ask God to reveal to you the false items of security that may be taking His place—things that divide your mind and shift your focus.

Prayer: God of all security, challenge us to envelop ourselves in the security blanket of trust that You will always meet our needs according to Your divine plan.

Martin Wiles is a “preacher’s kid,” author and minister who understands the struggles believers face. He can be followed on Love Lines From God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com) Dr. Wiles has been published in The Secret Place and Light From The Word, and is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions.   He is also a regular columnist for the Common Ground Herald newspaper. Wiles has authored Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity and Grace Greater Than Sin. He and his wife Michelle reside in Greenwood, South Carolina.

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