Be Content with What You Have--You'll Save Money

Vietnamese persimmons courtesy of Jeanne Henriques

Be careful to guard  yourselves against every kind of greed, because a person's life doesn't consist of the amount of possessions he has.  Luke 12:15 ISV

Black Friday deals!  Cyber Monday savings!  They all involve spending our hard earned money.  (Although often it's plastic money.)  And getting more things.  I haven't shopped on the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) for twenty-two years, but I do confess I love shopping on the internet. I get caught up in those cyber sales!  Free Shipping! calls my name.  I get excited just hearing the UPS truck at Christmas time.  But, on a more serious note, let me offer this mediatation for our consideration.

          Materialism is “a preoccupation with or stress on material rather than intellectual or spiritual things,” according to Webster’s Dictionary. Materialism has been a spiritual concern for centuries, even before Ralph WaldoEmerson spoke out against materialism 200 years ago. Much of the way we think is shaped by the culture in which we find ourselves.

          Who can dispute that our society has become steeped in materialism.  We are practically programmed to want all the newest technology and gadgets, the most comfortable and stylish homes, cars, clothes, and the most exotic, luxurious vacations.  You name it!  We work to afford the highest standard of living we can possibly attain for ourselves and our families, but when is enough, enough?  I ask myself that question.

          Jesus’ parable of the rich man is a parable for our times. This man had so 

many possessions that he built bigger barns to hold them all—just like we buy bigger homes 

or put the extra in storage.

          Self-satisfied, he said to himself: Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry. The parable continues: But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have  provided?” (Luke12:19-20NKJV)

          God calls the man a fool. This is a  warning to us not to  lose sight of the condition of our souls.

          How do we guard ourselves and resist the temptation to become preoccupied with 

things?

 

          Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, Do not be conformed to this world, but 

continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be

able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect  

(Romans12:2).

 

          Do you think that being immersed in materialism might hinder our availability to the 

things of God?



                                               Daughter Melanie's cute kitty Roscoe