On Materialism
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? -Matthew 16:26
Adding to the uncertainty is the problem of materialism. I asked some young persons their definition of success. They indicated that they and their friends believe that being successful means "being able to have whatever you want whenever you want it." That is probably the best definition of materialism I know.
Many people believe if they live by this philosophy, they will be able to meet all of life's needs, and they will be happy. This idea, of course, is illusory. As philosophers throughout the centuries, including Solomon. . . have warned, "Materialism will never bring happiness."
Judy and I took a trip to Africa several years ago with some friends. On that trip we went into the bush country in Kenya to visit with an African pastor. One of his five children played nearby with her only toy, a used flashlight battery, as we had tea outside his mud hut. Some in our group asked him, "What is the greatest barrier to the spread of the gospel in this part of Africa?"
His response was very insightful but astounding to each of us. I would have expected him to say something about the lack of communication, transportation, or literacy. In fact, he said, the greatest barrier to the spread of the gospel there was materialism. When we asked him to explain further, he said that if a man has one wife, he wants two wives; if he has a cow manure hut, he wants a mud hut; if he has a thatch roof, he wants a tin roof on his hut; if he has one acre of ground, he wants two acres of ground; if he has one cow, he wants two cows; and on and on.
His comments indicated to us that materialism is not indigenous to the United States. Instead materialism is indigenous to the human heart and replaces the thought with a vain and empty philosophy - one that promises much but delivers nothing. Materialism cannot provide true satisfaction, purpose and accomplishment, factors that are so essential in life.
Even though we know intuitively that materialism will not satisfy our inner most desires, as a family and as a nation we have developed a short-term perspective on all financial decisions, leading ultimately to our massive national and personal debts. We really believe that there are no limits on what we can spend, because if we can afford it now, the future will take care of itself. We are living blindly, ignoring the long-term consequences of the poor decisions we make.
-From Raising Money-Smart Kids by Ron and Judy Blue; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado
The benefits of material wealth are too short-lived. Only treasures in heaven endure. Do you desire a promotion at work more than serving unnoticed at church? Would you rather help at a church work day or put in extra hours at the office? Put your material possessions in perspective. Instead of using your money, are or house to feel good about yourself, use them to reach out to those in need.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? -Matthew 16:26
Adding to the uncertainty is the problem of materialism. I asked some young persons their definition of success. They indicated that they and their friends believe that being successful means "being able to have whatever you want whenever you want it." That is probably the best definition of materialism I know.
Many people believe if they live by this philosophy, they will be able to meet all of life's needs, and they will be happy. This idea, of course, is illusory. As philosophers throughout the centuries, including Solomon. . . have warned, "Materialism will never bring happiness."
Judy and I took a trip to Africa several years ago with some friends. On that trip we went into the bush country in Kenya to visit with an African pastor. One of his five children played nearby with her only toy, a used flashlight battery, as we had tea outside his mud hut. Some in our group asked him, "What is the greatest barrier to the spread of the gospel in this part of Africa?"
His response was very insightful but astounding to each of us. I would have expected him to say something about the lack of communication, transportation, or literacy. In fact, he said, the greatest barrier to the spread of the gospel there was materialism. When we asked him to explain further, he said that if a man has one wife, he wants two wives; if he has a cow manure hut, he wants a mud hut; if he has a thatch roof, he wants a tin roof on his hut; if he has one acre of ground, he wants two acres of ground; if he has one cow, he wants two cows; and on and on.
His comments indicated to us that materialism is not indigenous to the United States. Instead materialism is indigenous to the human heart and replaces the thought with a vain and empty philosophy - one that promises much but delivers nothing. Materialism cannot provide true satisfaction, purpose and accomplishment, factors that are so essential in life.
Even though we know intuitively that materialism will not satisfy our inner most desires, as a family and as a nation we have developed a short-term perspective on all financial decisions, leading ultimately to our massive national and personal debts. We really believe that there are no limits on what we can spend, because if we can afford it now, the future will take care of itself. We are living blindly, ignoring the long-term consequences of the poor decisions we make.
-From Raising Money-Smart Kids by Ron and Judy Blue; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado
The benefits of material wealth are too short-lived. Only treasures in heaven endure. Do you desire a promotion at work more than serving unnoticed at church? Would you rather help at a church work day or put in extra hours at the office? Put your material possessions in perspective. Instead of using your money, are or house to feel good about yourself, use them to reach out to those in need.
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