Chinese depiction of Jesus and the rich man (Mark 10) – 1879, Beijing, China (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In the 1900, the average person living in the United States wanted seventy two different things and considered eighteen of them essential. Today, the average person, wants over five hundred things, and considers one hundred of them essential. Our obsession with stuff carries a hefty price tag. Eighty percent of us battles the pressure of overdue bills. We spend 110 percent of our disposable income trying to manage debt. And who can keep up? We no longer measure ourselves against the Jones next door but against the stars on the silver screen or the stud on the magazine cover. Hollywood’s diamonds make yours look like a knock-off bought in China. No one can compete against Madison Avenue. So be content with what you have.
Jesus warns against greed.
According Luke 12:13-21, Jesus was addressing a large crowd one day when one of the men in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, my father just died and left some things for us. Tell my brother to share them with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Who said I should be your judge or decide how to divide your father’s things between you two?” Then Jesus said to them, “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. People do not get life from the many things they own.” Then Jesus used this story: “There was a rich man who had some land. His land grew a very good crop of food. ‘What will I do? He thought to himself. I have no place to keep all my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘I know what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger barns! I will put all my wheat and good things together in my new barns. Then I can say to myself, I have many good things stored. I have saved enough for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!’ “But God said to that man, ‘Foolish man! Tonight you will die. So what about the things you prepared for yourself? Who will get those things now?’
“This is how it will be for anyone who saves things only for himself. To God that person is not rich.”
Friends, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). What we feel and believe are the truly precious and meaningful things in our lives. If we do not commit ourselves to what is good and right, then we are empty. Moral poverty occurs when we place things above relationships. Christ sent His disciples out in the world without possessions, but no one in history has known more wealth than those chosen men who walked with Jesus. It is when we choose to walk with Jesus that we find out what true riches are.
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Reblogged this on GoodOleWoody's Blog and Website.
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Important preaching!
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Thanks Tom.
“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and like grasping the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
God blesses.
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Very good post Noel! I think when we want so many “things” we are trying to fill a void which only God can. That is why it never works. God Bless, SR
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SR, the disciples whom we look up to as role models had no material possession. They gave up everything to follow Jesus. And they were willing to die for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We still have a long way to go. However by the mercies of God, we will learn how to deny self and submit unconditionally to the will of God.
May God richly blesses you.
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Hey Noel,
As I read your reply what came to me is when Jesus said, “He had no place to lay His head.” I am learning however slowly, how to “deny myself and submit unconditionally to the will of God.” For me it is like anything else in my spiritual life, “trial and error.” It is a good post Noel. God Bless, SR
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How sad it is to see Christians obsessed with obtaining material possessions. Great reminder for us all to put first things first in our lives. Thank you Noel
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I especially thank you Rob, for your stopping by and sharing your thoughts. The Bible says our first priority is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. However, we turned the other way around.
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Amen! Great post, Noel. Addiction of every kind, including hording, is rampant.
God Bless you & yours!
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Many thanks as always Lady D. I genuinely appreciate your stopping by and sharing your thoughts. May God richly bless you.
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“Stuff” is a good word for our possessions. A relevant post for me today as I just advised my daughter to check out a used Ford Focus and let the idea of a Mustang go. 🙂
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That is a brilliant idea my friend. Anything you can afford to buy cash is better for you. A wise man told me the only thing I should credit is a house. He said, “Anything you have to put on your credit card means you cannot afford it.” I particularly thank you my friend, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God blesses.
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