DAY 17 - Overflowing With Stuff
Read It
Matthew 6:19-21
Study It
If you combined all the self-storage facilities in the US, they would be almost the size of Las Vegas (83.3 square miles). Not only do we feel the need to buy new things…we have a hard time letting go of the old stuff.
We are driven to make more and more money to get all of the stuff that we think we need. When in reality could we be drowning in our stuff? Maybe a better way to ask the question would be, Is all of our stuff actually hurting us, our marriages, our kids, or even our hopes and dreams?
I have experienced it, and I am sure you have to, where all of my stuff has actually kept me from doing what God was asking me to do.
And God actually warns you and I about this exact thing in Matthew and it reminds me of a word that is not really loved in our culture - Contentment. We are taught by culture that our value comes from hard work and impressing other people with our stuff. That life is about ‘me’. And for you and I its hard for us to think that our value in this life doesn’t actually come from what we can earn, how many hours we can work, or how much stuff we have.
Now we have needs that we actually need met. But there is a point in accumulating wealth and possessions where our happiness no longer increases. As we gain more and more, our concept of what a ‘need’ is changes. What used to be a ‘want’ when we had little resources, is now a ‘need’ since we have more.
It’s good to want to provide for your family, and have enough to be a blessing to others. Yet, there’s a big difference between working for stuff and drowning in it. What motivates you to work and what priority does God take in your work?
Live It
Read It
Matthew 6:19-21
Study It
If you combined all the self-storage facilities in the US, they would be almost the size of Las Vegas (83.3 square miles). Not only do we feel the need to buy new things…we have a hard time letting go of the old stuff.
We are driven to make more and more money to get all of the stuff that we think we need. When in reality could we be drowning in our stuff? Maybe a better way to ask the question would be, Is all of our stuff actually hurting us, our marriages, our kids, or even our hopes and dreams?
I have experienced it, and I am sure you have to, where all of my stuff has actually kept me from doing what God was asking me to do.
And God actually warns you and I about this exact thing in Matthew and it reminds me of a word that is not really loved in our culture - Contentment. We are taught by culture that our value comes from hard work and impressing other people with our stuff. That life is about ‘me’. And for you and I its hard for us to think that our value in this life doesn’t actually come from what we can earn, how many hours we can work, or how much stuff we have.
Now we have needs that we actually need met. But there is a point in accumulating wealth and possessions where our happiness no longer increases. As we gain more and more, our concept of what a ‘need’ is changes. What used to be a ‘want’ when we had little resources, is now a ‘need’ since we have more.
It’s good to want to provide for your family, and have enough to be a blessing to others. Yet, there’s a big difference between working for stuff and drowning in it. What motivates you to work and what priority does God take in your work?
Live It
- What is the most important thing in your life?
- How does what you are devoting your time and resources to align with that?
- Does your work and possessions bring you an equal amount of peace and passion for the kingdom?