How inuch do you desire the good things of this life: a beautiful healthy body and mind, intelligence, wisdom, wealth, a wonderful family, a good career, good friends, etc? Well, the Lord God says Ps 84:11 (KJV) “…no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” – and again – “Romans 8:32 (NIV) He who did not spare his own Son,* but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ”

But ask yourself, if I were to then ask God to “give me Himself”, would it be because I really value Him as the “real prize” and the “good” things that come with Him as just “incidental” and secondary; just ”icing on the cake” so to speak. Or do we “accept” God as a secondary ‘tag along‘ to the “package deal” of the “good things”?

Let us examine our hearts. Speaking of Job, Satan said to the Lord God, “does Job fear God for nothing?” etc. Paraphrased thus – “take away his good stuff and he will curse You”. But God allowed Job to be tested in this very same thing and Job was though with much questions, still faithful.
Abraham was also tested in’ the same matter when God told him to go sacrifice his son Isaac.

And we also will be, and in some cases, are being tested in this matter. Lovest thou Me more than these? our Lord Jesus asks. What is your motive in relating to Him? He is the pearl of Great price. Everything else comes a distant second; just incidental.

Oh that I might know Him; Who alone is love! This must become the cry of our hearts.