Materialism: August 23, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2013.

MATERIALISM

DEFINITION:

Devotion to material things rather than to spiritual; self needs or interest

SCRIPTURE:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The desire to have as many “things” as possible is prevalent among our society today and because, in most cases, the motive is wrong it is a most serious concern for us. It is important to note that there is nothing wrong with a person or a family to have “things.” All material things which one can enjoy on this earth last only for a short time, but mean nothing for eternity. 

Money is one “thing” that is considered by many as materialistic. Money in itself is not evil, but as Paul tells us, it is the love of money that is “the root of all evil.” (I Timothy 6:10) The love of money will turn us away from pursuing God and storing up our treasures in heaven.

In Matthew six (above), Jesus was speaking to the masses delivering His Sermon on the Mount.  He made it very clear that our first priority, as believers, while we are living on this earth, is to spend our time building up treasures in heaven.

We are reminded of a dear friend who God had blessed with great wealth.  He and his dear wife had worked hard operating several businesses and God had honored them with riches. They had their priorities right because they invested their money in missions, Sunday schools, churches and spiritual things, not on the material things that would make their lives more comfortable. They had two cars, both more than 15 years old and they lived in a small house that they had lived in for over 40 years. They could have lived a more luxurious life, but they chose to live frugally so they could do more of the Lord’s work. They were an excellent example for us, reminding us that we needed to store up our treasures in heaven.

Sometime ago one of our children was reflecting back over the years in a conversation with us. She commented that as a child growing up she understood that we were involved in Christian ministries and thus had limited income. She went on to comment that none of our six children ever missed a meal and really had all their wants and desires met. Yes, they may have wanted new clothes instead of having to wear hand me downs from the older child, but they were always clean and always looked appropriate. Even though we had a tight budget, we rarely talked about it. Dottie stretched the food budget by being very creative and we did not go out to restaurants. We did not spend money on frivolous things.  But everyone one was happy and we all had the same goal, storing up our treasures in heaven. 

Times have changed and many things we would have considered luxuries are now considered necessities. Advances in technology have made all kinds of new things available. Computers, cell phones, HD TV’s, ipods, just to name a few. These are wonderful “things” to have as long as they do not become so important that we devote all of our time and energy to obtaining them and to using them. The danger of “materialism” is that it can become our master.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:11, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” If we say we want to serve God we must consider what occupies more of our mind, takes more of our time and has a higher priority. Is it materialism or is it God?

It has been very rewarding to us now to watch our children training their children in the same manner that they were trained. They understand that treasures in heaven are far more valuable than treasures on earth. They are using the “things” they have been blessed with to serve the Lord.

We continue to pray each day that the things that honor the Lord will be what they desire, not the material things of the world that have no lasting value.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 20:21.

Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.

PRAYER:

I want to thank You first for every material blessing You have allowed me to receive.  Help me today to evaluate carefully how I use these “things” to further Your work on this earth. May my family honor You with always storing up our treasures for our time in heaven.