Organizing the Inside – Day 200 Following A Different Gospel

March 21, 2012 at 1:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Leadership, Relationship, Simplicity, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christ, Christian, Christianity, HolySpirit, materialism, Word of God

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Caught in the false gospel of materialism?
Shoe collections, handbag collections, designer boots, sunglasses collections, gowns, jewelry and big houses yes even women of faith seek after these things. We turn on the television and “Housewives” all over the country are springing up, making headlines as they parade foolish ungodliness before countless millions. You watch as these “Housewives” with egos bigger than the devil himself clamor and quarrel about much of nothing. Oh Lord, Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:37 (NLT) No one can tell me that the Lord didn’t foreknow what many Christian women would be wasting time doing when He wrote that scripture.

How much do they think I’m worth?
Everywhere you turn, whether it’s magazines, television, stores, books, the internet, movies, or just walking down the street it seems that everyone is trying to get more stuff for themselves. This false gospel is bombarding us from every end; telling you that material things answers one of life’s deepest questions. What am I worth? There are some who refuse to take a vacation, by a new car, move into a new home or for that matter by a new pair of shoes without posting it on Facebook, tweeting about it or sending out a blast email. It would require a huge suspension of disbelief to accept that these wonderful people only want to share with all their friends and followers, the lovely time they’re having with their latest material acquisition. Many people who have bought into this false gospel have their entire self-worth tied up in how much money they make and how many material possessions they have acquired. This notion that if you wear the right clothes, have the right car, and buy a big enough house, people will know how great you are is a foolish myth. The sad truth is that many Christians have bought into this way of thinking and need to repent.

While we all are influenced by cultural expectations, we don’t have to be regulated by them. The Word of God must be our biggest influence and we must allow the Holy Spirit to bring us balance in a world of massive chaos. God promised to give us rest from all the stress and confusion of trying to get more stuff. I believe He wants His children to be distinctively different. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NLT)  Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1John 2:15 (NLT) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 (KJV)

Have a healthy perspective.  
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having things. I’d be the first to admit I like shopping. Here’s the point, as Christian women we don’t seek status and prestige by the acquirement of material possessions. We find our self-worth through our relationship with God, and it ends there.  Placing aside what our husbands, friends, teachers or mirrors might say…they are all subject to change. What will never change is the Word of God and when we find our self-worth in Christ, we will find ourselves on a firm and solid foundation. Then we can offer help to other women who have yet to realize that, her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10b Before you can have a healthy perspective on material wealth you must do the inner work of yielding your self-image and self-worth to God. Becoming one with His Word is not an impossible feat; with Christ’s we are content and can show His true character. Reflecting on the image we see in His Word is the perfect place to start.

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