Who you are is not about what you have.
“Real life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15 NLT
My thoughts and comments today are about,
“Identity and Possessions.”
Admittedly, the culture and values of my father and grandfathers’ generations were very different from ours. We were taught character building values such as: give a full day’s work for an honest wage, use cash not credit, save for the future, live modestly within your means, and always be a good neighbor.
In contrast, the current culture seems to entice you in subtle and not so subtle ways to want more than you can afford, to desire more than God provides, and to crave everything your neighbor has, and more. In their subtlety and practical application, those more recent values are inaccurate and deceiving, even seductive.
Material possessions can become a little too important, as well as becoming an inaccurate measure of success and significance. Who you are is not about what you have. God made you so much more. Your possessions, or lack thereof, should not determine your identity. Your true identity is found only in Christ.
How has this change come about? There is a false philosophy that began as early as man’s origin in the Garden of Eden, a false philosophy that proudly claims that you can have it all, and you can have it now. Read the history, Genesis 3. That was exactly how the devil seduced Eve and deceived Adam.
They had it all, except for one small thing. The fruit of every tree was theirs to enjoy, except one. “The Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.’” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV. Somehow, Eve was deceived to believe that without that one added thing, God must be withholding something good from her that she could obtain apart from God. Well, you know how the story goes from there. It does not end well.
Too many people have spiritually and financially bankrupted themselves trying to have it all now, and at an even higher price have impoverished their souls in the process. In God alone, security and contentment are found. “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10 NKJ. The Apostle Paul was certain, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV.
You were never intended to have it all. And it is not practical to have it all right now. Be patient and trusting for God to provide what you need. When Jesus said, “Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15 NLT. It was not Jesus’ suggestion; it is His continuing command.
Following the wisdom and counsel of the Word of God will spare you a lot of needless grief and worry. Meanwhile, be content and faithful with what you have. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. “Read Philippians 4:11-13 NIV.
Our common problem is wanting things before God provides them and acquiring them without regard to their cost to our soul, now as well as later. Be grateful and content for the things you have while trusting God to provide things you want, if pleasing in His sight. You are best to live with this conviction born of God’s Word, “My God will supply all your needs from His own glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLT.
Greed is the enemy of contentment and can be defined as, “an inordinate, unholy insistence of wanting more than God has yet provided and attempting to gain those things however you can and as quickly as you can.” That will never work out the way you hope. “Now, may the God of peace . . make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJ. Amen!
Today I pray for you to be content with what you have and trust for all you need.
Christian Communications 2018-7209
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