I started thinking about this time of the year and the way people act. You would think that people would be kind, thoughtful, generous, loving, but the reality is that they are almost the exact opposite. Of course like everything, that is not 100% true, but it seems to apply to the majority of the people. So I started asking myself why?
One of the reasons I came up with is contentment. People are just not happy with what they have or what they were given. Yes at times I fall into this category. I find myself buying new tools or kitchen appliance or guns or electronics. So I have to ask myself why am I spending money on these things that really do not matter especially when I have a perfectly good working item.
For example, my wife says I have a blender fetish. Is she right? I do not think so, but it comes down to being obsessed with getting the best at the time. I am typically not a Type A personality when it comes to purchasing as I will wait 3+ years before buying an item when it is about to be taken off the market because at that time the bugs have usually been worked out of the item.
There are some things I find my self buying much sooner. Part of me believes that the new item had a feature that I really wanted when I bought the original item. So why not wait to see if that feature will ever become available then buy it then? Good question! All I can say is that I was not content with the original purchase and thought it necessary to buy this newer item.
Lets look at the reality of what I just said. I have convinced myself that the purchase was acceptable because I thought it met some need. However, there are some problems with that approach. Whenever we start convincing ourselves that what we are doing is ok, that can lead us down a path of potential destruction. Before you know it, we may be convincing ourselves that taking a pen from the office is ok or worse but that is stealing. If the business gives you the right to use office supplies at home, that is one thing, but to take it without permission is actually stealing and that is not ok, If you are saying, it is just a pen who cares, then this definitely applies to you.
First we are to be good stewards of the money the Lord has given to us. This means we are to spend the majority of the money on the things that would glorify Him and not to be constantly selfish with that money.
Proverbs 11:24 New International Version (NIV)
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
Two, we are to be content with what we have.
Matthew 6:19-30 New International Version (NIV)
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[c]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Three we are not justify any action that would be a sin as acceptable. Stealing for example is one of the Ten Commandments and to justify that it is ok is not. If you are unclear what sin is, it is going against Gods will.
Luke 16:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
I pray that your heart and mind are opened to hear and understand the Lords word. May you be content with what you already have and the worldly gifts that are soon to receive. I pray that you will stop justifying those actions that you already know are wrong in the Lords eye. If there is something you have that you really do not need, remember there are people who are hungry and homeless, so help where you can.
May God bless you.