http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/keeping-materialism-proper-place/
Words from Jesus
Audio length: 7:58
Download Audio (10.9MB)
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”—2 Chronicles 16:91
When it comes to earthly and material goods, I told My early followers: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” “No one can serve two masters … you cannot serve God and money.” “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none.” “Give to the one who asks you.” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”2
In the Epistles, I spoke through the apostle John’s teachings: “Do not love the world or the things in the world ... and the world is passing away, along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”3 The words that James spoke to the wealthy people of that time spoke against the accumulation of possessions: “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.”4
Do you show by your life, by the clothes you wear and the possessions you own, and by your willingness to share what you have, that your material goods are not overly important to you? Does your example show that your possessions are not your top priority, that you would willingly do without them if need be?
You don’t have to have much to have “great possessions,” or to be materialistic to put those possessions in a higher place than they should hold. Do your things “own” you or do you own them and steward them wisely and prayerfully?
The key issue here is not whether you have two pairs of jeans or ten. Nor is it whether you own a good laptop or tablet or smartphone. Nor is it whether you shop at a mall, a secondhand market‚ or garage sales. The issue is this: Where is your heart at when it comes to the material goods of this world?
As My disciples, your hearts and minds are to be set on the things of My Spirit and the kingdom of God. So it’s important to keep the things of the world—possessions, fashions, gadgets, appearance, and all the rest—in perspective. You’re called to not love the world or the things in the world; that means not “loving” your things so much that you are hesitant to share them with those in need, and not accumulating so many possessions to the point that they weigh you down and hinder your Christian example.
As Christians and disciples‚ part of your testimony is your simplicity when it comes to the things of the world. That doesn’t mean you won’t have nice things, and it doesn’t mean you’ll never have gadgets or that you should only have two pairs of shoes. But if you have something you don’t need, consider giving it to someone who does need it.
Here are some core issues for gauging your relationship with the things of the world: Are your priorities right? Are you willing to give to those in need? Are you avoiding wasting your time in pursuit of unnecessary or too many material possessions? Are you imparting a good example to your children of stewardship, of giving to others, of spending money wisely, and trusting Me to supply what you need?5
The riches of His grace
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”—Isaiah 61:106
My eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Me. In this world of “spin,” I assure you that My eyes see everything with clarity. Of course that means I also see everything about you. The human heart—in its fallen condition—is deceitful above all things. Idol-making comes naturally to all people, including My followers.
Even good things can become idols if they slither into first place in your heart. Nonetheless, your longing for a heart fully committed to Me makes you teachable. When My Spirit points out an idol, you confess it as a sin and turn back to Me, your First Love. In response, I strengthen you—empowering you to live for Me more and more. Thus, as we work together, your heart becomes increasingly devoted to Me.
If you cringe at the thought of My seeing everything about you, remember that I look at you through eyes of grace. Though nothing is hidden from My sight, I choose to view you through eyes of grace. I see you radiantly attired in garments of salvation, and this is a glorious sight!7
The joy of His presence
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence.”—Acts 2:288
Beloved, the fact that you yearn for an awakened soul is itself a source of pleasure to Me. Many of My children view devotion to Me as a duty, and they look elsewhere for their pleasures. They fail to understand that the joy of My presence outshines even the most delightful earthly joy. Of course, it is not an either/or situation. You don’t have to choose between enjoying Me or enjoying the many good gifts I provide.
It is simply a matter of priorities. I want you to treasure Me above all else. Actually, the more fully you enjoy Me, the more capacity you have to appreciate the blessings I shower upon you. When you make Me your ultimate pleasure, you glorify Me by desiring closeness with Me. As you delight in Me, I am able to bless you with many things that please you. If you keep Me first in your life, My good gifts will not become idols. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.9
Published on Anchor May 2015. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 NLT.
2 Matthew 6:19–20; Luke 16:13; 12:15; 3:11; Matthew 5:42; 6:33.
3 1 John 2:15–17.
4 James 5:2–3.
5 Originally published November 2004, adapted.
6 NIV.
7 Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
8 NIV.
9 Sarah Young, Dear Jesus (Thomas Nelson, 2007).
Words from Jesus
Audio length: 7:58
Download Audio (10.9MB)
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”—2 Chronicles 16:91
When it comes to earthly and material goods, I told My early followers: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” “No one can serve two masters … you cannot serve God and money.” “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none.” “Give to the one who asks you.” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”2
In the Epistles, I spoke through the apostle John’s teachings: “Do not love the world or the things in the world ... and the world is passing away, along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”3 The words that James spoke to the wealthy people of that time spoke against the accumulation of possessions: “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.”4
Do you show by your life, by the clothes you wear and the possessions you own, and by your willingness to share what you have, that your material goods are not overly important to you? Does your example show that your possessions are not your top priority, that you would willingly do without them if need be?
You don’t have to have much to have “great possessions,” or to be materialistic to put those possessions in a higher place than they should hold. Do your things “own” you or do you own them and steward them wisely and prayerfully?
The key issue here is not whether you have two pairs of jeans or ten. Nor is it whether you own a good laptop or tablet or smartphone. Nor is it whether you shop at a mall, a secondhand market‚ or garage sales. The issue is this: Where is your heart at when it comes to the material goods of this world?
As My disciples, your hearts and minds are to be set on the things of My Spirit and the kingdom of God. So it’s important to keep the things of the world—possessions, fashions, gadgets, appearance, and all the rest—in perspective. You’re called to not love the world or the things in the world; that means not “loving” your things so much that you are hesitant to share them with those in need, and not accumulating so many possessions to the point that they weigh you down and hinder your Christian example.
As Christians and disciples‚ part of your testimony is your simplicity when it comes to the things of the world. That doesn’t mean you won’t have nice things, and it doesn’t mean you’ll never have gadgets or that you should only have two pairs of shoes. But if you have something you don’t need, consider giving it to someone who does need it.
Here are some core issues for gauging your relationship with the things of the world: Are your priorities right? Are you willing to give to those in need? Are you avoiding wasting your time in pursuit of unnecessary or too many material possessions? Are you imparting a good example to your children of stewardship, of giving to others, of spending money wisely, and trusting Me to supply what you need?5
The riches of His grace
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”—Isaiah 61:106
My eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Me. In this world of “spin,” I assure you that My eyes see everything with clarity. Of course that means I also see everything about you. The human heart—in its fallen condition—is deceitful above all things. Idol-making comes naturally to all people, including My followers.
Even good things can become idols if they slither into first place in your heart. Nonetheless, your longing for a heart fully committed to Me makes you teachable. When My Spirit points out an idol, you confess it as a sin and turn back to Me, your First Love. In response, I strengthen you—empowering you to live for Me more and more. Thus, as we work together, your heart becomes increasingly devoted to Me.
If you cringe at the thought of My seeing everything about you, remember that I look at you through eyes of grace. Though nothing is hidden from My sight, I choose to view you through eyes of grace. I see you radiantly attired in garments of salvation, and this is a glorious sight!7
The joy of His presence
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence.”—Acts 2:288
Beloved, the fact that you yearn for an awakened soul is itself a source of pleasure to Me. Many of My children view devotion to Me as a duty, and they look elsewhere for their pleasures. They fail to understand that the joy of My presence outshines even the most delightful earthly joy. Of course, it is not an either/or situation. You don’t have to choose between enjoying Me or enjoying the many good gifts I provide.
It is simply a matter of priorities. I want you to treasure Me above all else. Actually, the more fully you enjoy Me, the more capacity you have to appreciate the blessings I shower upon you. When you make Me your ultimate pleasure, you glorify Me by desiring closeness with Me. As you delight in Me, I am able to bless you with many things that please you. If you keep Me first in your life, My good gifts will not become idols. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.9
Published on Anchor May 2015. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 NLT.
2 Matthew 6:19–20; Luke 16:13; 12:15; 3:11; Matthew 5:42; 6:33.
3 1 John 2:15–17.
4 James 5:2–3.
5 Originally published November 2004, adapted.
6 NIV.
7 Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
8 NIV.
9 Sarah Young, Dear Jesus (Thomas Nelson, 2007).
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