As easy as it is to get caught up in keeping up with the Jones's, it makes me so sad to think about what a materialistic people we have become. Big diamonds, monstrous houses, fancy cars, lavish vacations, and spending tons of money on entertainment and technology. Now I know when I make that statement, in many ways I point the finger at myself as well. Everyone's guilty of it. We are told to never deny ourselves, to give in to our every whim and desire. Through the Bible's words and examples of self sacrifice and denial, this just isn't the case!
Hebrews 13:5 warns, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..."
We forget whose money/car/house it is in the first place: God's. God blessed us with those material blessings and the jobs we have to earn the money to buy those material items. Just as easily as he gives, he can take away. We are here for one purpose only, and that is to serve the Lord by praising him and bring others to understand his grace, love, and purpose for their lives. It's easy to forget how short our life on earth really is when compared to eternity in heaven. We have to remember our task here on earth is to live as servants. Jesus didn't come to this earth to take, but to give. He gave of his time, his resources, his grace, healing, and forgiveness.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Malachi 3:10. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty. And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. This verse just puts a mental image in my mind of a great dam waiting to break loose...and at the command of God the dam breaks free and the rivers of blessings come tearing out! This verse tells us two things: #1-God tells us to TEST Him! I can't think of another passage in the Bible where he tells his children to test his Word. #2- He guarantees (100%) that he will reward us back more than we gave!
This week, be thankful for what you have. Make time in your prayers to give genuine thanks to God for his blessings. In return, give of yourself, your time, and your money. Finds ways to serve people. Lend an ear, a helping hand, a couple of dollars. Do these things in the name of love, and God promises he will richly reward you!
Have a blessed and thankful week!
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