Material Wants 

It is okay for you to have nice things in your life.  In fact, it is important for you to have nice things.  Whether it is a car or a house or any type of luxury item, if you are living correctly then you will have these things.  Treat yourself to the things in life that you want.  Remember though do not use credit.  If you use wisdom and practice stewardship, you will be able to get nice things without credit.   

God uses money and material possession to test your faithfulness to Him.  In fact, the Bible talks more about money and material possession than it does about Heaven or Hell.  How you manage your money and your “stuff” determines how much more you will receive.  “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth; who will trust you with true riches?  And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”cxlvii    Make sure you’re keeping your material wants in their proper perspective. 

Here are some rules to help keep money and “stuff” in their proper perspective: 

Don’t make acquiring “stuff” your primary reason for existence.  Make sure you have your priorities in order and make sure your basic needs are met before you begin to purchase luxury items.  I am always amazed when I see the guy driving by in the brand-new Mercedes, who lives in a tenement full of cockroaches and rats.  Instead, get yourself a nice home and then go buy the car.  In fact, I once knew a homeless person who had a beautiful car.  I am sure he isn’t the only one.  If your children need new shoes, don’t go out and buy the new big screen TV first.  Make sure your priorities are straight.  “Don’t tell me where your priorities are.  Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are”cxlviii  

Don’t set your heart on the stuff of life.  “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”cxlix  Our society has become obsessed with acquiring stuff.  It has become normal to measure someone’s success by the size of their house, the kind of car they drive or how many other luxury items they own.  Don’t fall into that trap.  Be content with what you have.  Yes, strive for more, but don’t let the quest for more stuff become your life’s aim.  I know of so many people who are letting the good things in life pass them by simply because they are focusing on material possessions. 

Don’t be afraid to sell out to God.  Make God your treasure.  Make God the center of your life and you will have the things that you need and want.  In Him your wealth is truly secure.  In other words, stop trying to manage your finances by yourself.  “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”cl  Learn to, relax and let Him work in your life; place Him at the center and He will do the rest. 

Lastly, remember that money has no bearing on what you are worth as a human being.  Whether you make a hundred million dollars a year, own a yacht and live in a mansion or you make ten thousand dollars a year, own a beat up rusted out car and live in a small apartment, we all have the same value as people.  Don’t forget that.  Don’t love money or your “stuff” more than you love the important things in your life.  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”cli 

God Bless

Michael at R2W