Monday, October 14, 2024
If I just had [fill in the blank], everything would be so much better!
That is the myth of materialism. At times, we’re all guilty of believing that more stuff will bring us more happiness. King Solomon, who had the most stuff ever—700 wives, 300 concubines, houses, vineyards, palaces, gold, silver, horses, chariots, herds, and flocks—wrote:
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
The truth is the more we have, the more we want, the more we spend. It’s a cycle that never ends and will never bring us true happiness. But what’s worse is that our hearts follow where our money goes (Matthew 6:19-21), and that can lead us down a path where we choose earthly riches over eternal ones.
My husband and I were blessed to take a mission trip that shifted our focus away from earthly things. The people we went to help helped us more than I thought possible. We saw that despite their poverty, they were richer in their trust of God than we were.
What little they had in terms of comfort and possessions, they freely gave to us! They savored what was good in their lives, rather than dwelling on what they did not have. Yes, their lives were off-the-chart difficult, especially compared to ours, but they knew what was truly important in the Kingdom of God. They had enough because he is enough.
But how do we live in a mindset of sufficiency? Jesus addressed his disciples after an encounter with a young man who went away disappointed because he could not part with all his stuff:
Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
With God, we can experience a true change of heart and learn to be grateful for the blessings we have today.
As I look out my window on this beautiful day, I am thankful for the sunshine, my warm house, my family, and my friends. These are all gifts from the God who loves me and whom I love with all my heart. He has provided enough, and more, so that I, too, can freely and joyfully share what I have with others.
Do you have enough? Do you possess your money, or does it possess you?
Questions:
Are you all-in with Jesus?
What are you holding on to that keeps you from that place of peace and rest in him?
Are you trusting God first with your resources?
Next Steps:
Listen to “Jireh” by Elevation Worship. Let the words be your prayer as you determine your best next step to trust God first with your resources:
Make a budget to determine the best way to steward your income.
Participate in a Financial Peace University Group.
If you haven’t started giving to the church, make a commitment to give a percentage of your income each week.
If you already give regularly, consider whether it’s time to increase that amount or begin tithing.
Go on a mission trip! If possible, take your family.
Prayer:
Jehovah Jireh, you are enough. With you, I will learn to be content in every circumstance. You have always provided everything I need. You will never fail at that! This knowledge gives me peace so that I can face whatever comes my way—trials and sorrows, joys and successes. You have overcome the world! I praise you. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 16:33
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
This post was written by Lauri White, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.