Organizing the Inside – Day 149 Oh, I Just Have To Have That!

January 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Organizing, Purpose, Relationship, Simplicity, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christianity, God's kingdom, Trusting God

15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 16Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:15-21

Do you trust God with your entire future?
Certainly saving for retirement doesn’t mean you’re not trusting God to provide for your future. I think God wants us to plan for the future. The matter of concern is when we start to worry about the future. When your worry about your future supersedes your desire to serve God today, you have reason for alarm. The rich farmer reasoned within himself, that by storing up all this great wealth, he could retire and enjoy the golden years. Jesus called him a fool. God wants us to have a healthy attitude toward our future and His ability to provide for us. We must be obedient to God in both saving and giving. His word gives us clear guidelines about how to handle both.
19“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21

Do you remember the feeling?
Have you ever tried cleaning out your closet or another area of your home and thought, I just have too much stuff? I admit to the occasional thought of getting a bigger barn.  Each time I do, I am reminded of what place these things (that I want to hold on to) have in God’s “big picture” plan for my life. I’m challenged to think there is rarely any memento, or other coveted item of choice, that has anything to do with me fulfilling God’s plan for my life, rarely ever.  I can remember the feeling I had in the store while contemplating my purchase. Have you ever had that feeling? You just had to have it! I can remember thinking, “Oh, I want it; I want it, how beautiful!”  That lovely and likely overpriced vase I just had to have, is now taking up extra space in my closet.  Why on earth was I so pressed to buy it? Absolutely convinced, that if I made that one purchase I would feel a certain way. Advertisers spend a lot of money to get into the heads or would be buyers. It’s embarrassing to think of all that I’ve given away over the years in various yard sales or trips to the Salvation Army; yet when at the point of purchase, I could think of nothing more important to spend money on. Thank Jesus! I’m learning to have a healthier viewpoint about the accumulation of personal wealth.

Possessions and the desire for more distract us from the kingdom.
I’ve seen too many cases of Christians who seemed to have lost their minds once the fame and fortune came about. I suspect this had little to do with things, and more to do with the condition of the heart. Far be it from me to start wondering what imbalance or greed resides in the heart of another, which causes them to choose the love of possessions, over love for Christ.  I do believe, greed is a snare of the enemy, but those who choose God over riches will inherit the kingdom. Jesus warns us in many scriptures about worry, possessions and greed. What impresses me most about His teaching on the subject is He gives us the answers to all that we desire, and loving points us to the Kingdom of God. He teaches if we would trust God and stop worrying about all the “things” we want and need, He would provide everything we needed. Certainly if you asked most shrewd financial investors, they would explain that this type of thinking goes against the books, and defies human logic.

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
1 Corinthians 2:14

32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:32, 33

Can happiness, contentment, peace, joy and love be found outside of a relationship with God?  The answer is a resounding NO; besides who would want to? Only those who have not experienced the true treasures of the richest King would ever consider the alternative.  Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Also read Luke 12:22-34

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