Tag Archives: Materialism

Why Am I So Discontent?

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Hoping To Hit It Rich

One of the most embarrassing financial decisions I ever made was getting into the beef jerky vending machine business! It was like the late ‘90s, as I recall; and, I spent $10,000 for 20 machines. I trusted the company to place them in high-traffic areas; but, it didn’t work out that way! My kids benefited— the boys, especially, enjoyed lots of beef jerky snacks! Then, there were all the “Publisher’s Clearing House” and “Reader’s Digest” sweepstakes entries I filled out religiously in hopes of striking it rich! But, perhaps my most embarrassing financial “scheme” was one of those “Chain Letters” where you write 1000 strangers, asking them to send you $10; and, then they send 1000 letters. And, if no one breaks the chain everyone will have like a million dollars in 30 days—it didn’t work! I lost a lot of money on postage! Yeah, I did that! Only once! I was dirt poor; and I was easily manipulated! Don’t judge me! HaHa!

Greed Masqueraded

Now, let me tell you why I’m willing to embarrass myself with those true stories! I wanted to illustrate how greed & covetousness can masquerade themselves! I’m NOT saying that buying into the beef jerky vending business; or, any kind of vending business is greedy! I’m NOT saying that filling out the “Publisher’s Clearing House” entries is greedy and covetous! But, FOR ME, it was! All those activities, FOR ME, were a hoped-for “get rich scheme.” I was greedy and covetous! I saw someone wearing a t-shirt once that read, “All I Want Is A Little Bit More Than I’ll Ever Have.” That was ME!

The Lie About Stuff

I had bought into that worldly attitude that to be happy, I needed more STUFF! That’s the assumption behind most advertising, isn’t it— “You can’t be totally happy ‘til you own our product. If you wanna enjoy life, you need this & you can buy now, pay later, on our easy credit plan!” It’s my hope, over the next few posts, to search the Scriptures with you and seek the Holy Spirit’s help to determine what we ought to value in life! There’s no denying that God has a lot to say about money and wealth and stuff; and, generally speaking, this is what He says: “Everything belongs to ME!” It all belongs to HIM! None of our stuff is truly ours! How much do we leave behind at death? ALL of it!

God Owns It All

Consider these Scripture verses— “To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it” Deut 10:14. “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty” Haggai 2:8. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” 1 Cor. 10:26. We are NOT owners! We are “stewards” and “managers” of God’s stuff! Let me tell you why that’s so important— If you think YOU own your stuff, you’ll use your income to build your “Little Kingdom”; when it’s God’s will that you leverage it to build His “BIG Kingdom.” You’ll be guilty of robbing God. That was one of Israel’s sins: “Will a man rob God?” He ASKS, “Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse” Malachi 3:8,9. It’s a serious crime to “rob” God— they were cursed! Please pray over this & search the Scriptures! If you do so, you’ll be challenged to rearrange your financial resources as would a steward who manages someone else’s money! Because none of it is yours!

Daniel: From Pride To Praise

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Vacation Time! My Next Post Is Scheduled For September 20th

(Note: This is the 13th in a series of posts on Daniel’s life)

Taking Personal Credit

What are the things in your life that people tend to notice & compliment you over? Is it your intelligence? Or, maybe you’re an attractive person; so, people notice your good looks! Or, is it your wardrobe? Are you a snappy dresser? Maybe it’s your wit! How clever you are! Or, do people compliment you for your talents? Maybe you’re a gifted musician, artist, or athlete! Perhaps people praise you for your work ethic; or, for your leadership abilities. Maybe it’s your house, your car; or, some other material thing that draws a compliment! How do you respond? Do you take credit personally when someone compliments you? Do you accept the glory & praise for those things because you think you deserve it?

Bragging And Self-Promotion

Perhaps there are things about you that you wish people would notice & offer you a compliment for! Maybe you feel inclined to kind of point out, to others, your superior talents or abilities— do a little bragging and self-promotion! When I look back at my earlier life I see many times where I was filled with pride! Many times where I bragged about myself! Those memories bring me shame because I attempted to steal glory that wasn’t mine! When I was complimented for something, I accepted the glory & praise that should be directed to God alone! I know that as long as I live in this sin-plagued body I’ll be tempted, by my flesh & depravity, to think prideful thoughts about myself!

Offering Praise To God Alone

Oh how I give praise to God for the work He’s done in me— and, continues to do— through His Spirit! He quickly points out those times I begin to swell up with pride; and, He helps me to confess it for the sin that it is & to redirect all praise to Him! Scripture often contrasts God’s judgment toward those individuals who allow pride to rule their lives with the blessings He provides to those who humble themselves before Him & others! Pride is our attempt to steal glory from God! Any time we take credit for anything, that’s our prideful attempt to steal God’s glory! “What do you have that you’ve not been given?” Paul asks the Church of Corinth (1 Cor. 4:7).  Humble yourself; or, God will do it for you! And it’s much less severe or painful if we choose to humble ourselves before Him; rather than face His judgment against our pride!

Failure Can Be A Gift

King Nebuchadnezzar had been warned, by Daniel, to give God the glory! But, one day, as he walked on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, he said to himself: “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence & to display my majestic glory?” (Daniel 4:30) It wasn’t that the king didn’t build Babylon; or that he didn’t have power. His error was taking credit for those things. The verses that follow declare that a voice came from heaven, while those words were still in the King’s mouth, “…the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals…until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men…” God commands us to humble ourselves; and, we can do it the easy way by confession & repentance; or, we can do it the hard way & force God’s hand— that’s not recommended!  Make no mistake! “Every knee will bow & every tongue will confess” that Jesus is Lord & we are NOT!