Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Moving, breaking up housekeeping, and disposing of the possessions belonging to someone who has died are events in life that painfully remind us that our possessions have the ability to weigh us down. Having just moved, we are very aware of how much we have despite having tried on several occasions to reduce our household goods. As this move was somewhat sudden, I’m sure that we have moved many things that we would have discarded with more time to sort and pack. We have also acquired items that the previous owners left in our new home. Another painful reminder of how much we have is that we are making major repairs to our home so we are literally tripping over boxes as we wait for the work to be completed before we unpack. Consequently, my mind keeps pondering passages like the one above that caution us about having too many possessions. While there are certainly more thoughts on the matter, I believe that Christ’s warnings about wealth were born out of concern for our well-being, stewardship, and focus. To be sure, they are in intertwined but each raises different nuances.
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5
God’s command to be content with what He has provided goes beyond our attitude to also address our well-being. First there is our physical well-being. Possessions require care and maintenance that can drain us. One of the reasons that we decided to move was to reduce the amount of maintenance that I need to do. My health is such that I am finding it increasingly difficult to manage all that needs to be done. While our new home requires much work initially, in the long run, there will be considerably less to do. Another factor is our spiritual well-being. The choice to be content is the weapon we use against greed, envy, lust, coveting, entitlement, and pride…to name a few. Contentment goes hand in hand with gratitude for God’s provision; it focuses on the blessings that we have received rather than what we perceive to be lacking. Finally, there is our mental well-being. We can’t have peace if we are striving to acquire and maintain. Rather, contentment rests on the assurance that God is faithful in His promises and allows the peace of Christ to enter our mind, body and soul. Contentment allows us to focus on the eternal and allow God to direct the details of this life.
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Luke 16:13
As servants of the Lord, it is incumbent upon us to recognize that we are not owners of our possessions, but rather stewards of what has been provided for our use. To do that effectively we must look to God for direction. We are called to provide food, clothing and shelter for our families, but we are also called to return a portion to our Heavenly Father as He directs us in the form of tithes and offerings. Another requirement is to share with those in need as we are given the means and opportunity. There are two ways to approach this. The first is: “How much must I give?” If we’re asking the question this way, we may have a problem in that we’re trying to keep as much as possible. Years ago, I was challenged to look at it another way and ask: “How much to I really need?” It’s a very subtle difference, but the attitude is significantly improved. The former suggests a viewpoint of giving out of obligation with restraint while the latter reflects a mindset of giving freely as the Lord directs. We will all be called to give an account of how we use what God has given to us. May we all be found to have used our God given resources to serve Him and the body of Christ rather than merely serving ourselves.
And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:23
Scripture repeatedly warns us about money, possessions and wealth. It’s not that they are evil in and of themselves but rather that our attitude and our focus can become problematic. First consider that if one spends the bulk of their time, energy, and thoughts on the accumulation, maintenance and enjoyment of their assets, they are mostly likely not living for eternity or to serve their Lord. As Christ tells us, we can’t be wholly devoted to God when our principal focus is our wealth. A second concern as described in Deuteronomy 8:17-18 is that the greater the possession the more tempting it is to become proud of success and forget that all that we have comes from God. We will ever be dependent on our Heavenly Father. We must also think about our attitude with respect the use of our wealth and the needs of others. When we share what God has given us to provide what others are lacking, we serve the body of Christ and/or proclaim Christ to those who do not yet know Him. Once again, it is a choice; are we focusing on our eternal wealth or the accumulation of things that are temporary?
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
In addition to the piles of boxes in our home, a catalyst for this post came from an incident shortly after we moved. The previous owners left a washer and dryer which we readily sold. With respect to the sale of the dryer, I was caught off guard. We were only asking $30 which we were paid in a transaction that took less than five minutes. As they drove away, I realized that the family taking it needed it badly and could not afford much. As they drove off, I regretted selling it and wished I had just given it to them. As I trip over boxes and get our house in order in preparation for the time when neither of us is working, my greater concern is my attitude toward what God has freely given us. It is my desire that Marie and I are content with what God has given us, that we have a generous attitude, and that we use those gifts to serve Him rather than our assets or ourselves. I pray that in this life and the next that we will have a good name and favor because we chose devotion to God and generosity with others over wealth.
It will be the same on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone who is on the roof, with his goods in the house, must not come down to take them away, and likewise the person in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:30-33
Whether it is the incredible return of our Savior or the more common call of our Heavenly Father to leave this life for eternity, will we willingly leave this life or will we want to hold on to what we know and what we have acquired? The possessions in my home are not exceedingly valuable. Those things that I hold dear matter because they have sentimental attachment in that they remind me of people and events. However, as dear as they may be to me, they pale in comparison to eternity and abiding with God. Our real treasure or our prized possession lies in eternity with the God Almighty. That is the perspective that we must maintain so that we live and serve well; that we may be good stewards; and that we focus on our relationship with God rather than the things that can distract us from Him.