sometimes material blessing distracts us from our purpose

Back in 1675 this cat named Philip Spener (a German pastor who grew up during the thirty years war) wrote a book called "Pia Desideria." I don't know what the title means, but it is a short book worth reading. In it Spener said:

"When we look at its outward condition we must confess that for a long time the kingdoms and lands which are attached to this church have again and again, although to different degrees and in different times, experienced those calamities of pestilence, famine, and continuous or often recurring wars in which, according to the Scriptures, the righteous God is wont to indicate and bear witness to his wrath. Yet I do not regard such afflictions as the worst. In fact, I count them a blessing, for through them God has preserved many of his own and has to some extent averted the harm that would have resulted if people had been driven to deeper despair by uniterrupted external prosperity."

In the church in Texas today, and in the homes of the believers in those churches, it often times seems like they have been distracted from their purpose (which is to bring reconciliation to the world 2 Cor 5:18) by the American dream. Give up the hope for material wealth and a happy family life with a fat retirement and a nice home and rededicate yourself to the reason for which you have been redeemed.