The Idol, Stuff

 Material things. 

Today, we continue our series Hidden Idols. The Idol of Stuff is far more powerful than you may both think, or want to admit. Let’s talk about. Let us pray. 

Heavenly Father, Lord God, we come before you to fully examine ourselves. Are we truly putting you first? Or are there hidden Idols that we need to root out? We talked about politics last time, today we will be discussing Stuff. Please guide us. Please Father, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to understand your truth, in Jesus name, Amen!

Is it normal? Human nature? To love the world and the things in it? Is it human nature to dream of having more and more of it? Money, things, lusts, living life to the fullest. "Hey, you only got one life. Live it up." Right?

Well, Yes. Yes, it is Human Nature. Yes, it is normal. We are born into and of the World. Of course, we want it all. However, if you are now a child of God, you are no longer OF the World, but merely in it. Remember the Tenth Commandment?

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." Exodus 20:17

Do you remember what Jesus said? 

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15

And plainly,

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

Why is this such a serious commandment from God? It is because stuff can become an Idol that you are willing to lie, cheat, steal, and even kill for. John warns us.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15–17

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 that we should not even think about what we should eat, drink, wear, Etc. That God knows we need all these things before we even think about asking Him, and that we need to have faith that He will supply them. All we need to do is trust in Him and,

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

There is a deep peace in being content. Why? Because we no longer need to worry about many things. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have enough food? When was the last time you skipped a meal? I'm not trying to insult or be rude. I'm genuinely asking. When was the last time you went outside without clothes? Not out of perversion, but just because you had nothing to cover yourself with.

Take a moment to consider the world's impoverished populations. We often see images of children running around without clothes, people living in shacks or exposed to harsh weather, and individuals consuming insects or dirt and drinking from contaminated water sources, the same ones used by animals for bathing. In nearly every other country, if you don't work, you face starvation. If you neglect to take the necessary actions for survival, your life is at risk. There is no government assistance available to rely on.

Take a moment to consider the situation of the poor in this country. Many of them have access to one or even two cars, or they can rely on public transportation to get around. They have the freedom to go wherever they wish. They often live in apartments or houses equipped with air conditioning and heating, with running water and electricity. Organizations and government agencies provide food to those in need. It's not uncommon for these individuals to have two or more televisions, cell phones, and ample clothing. They may even receive some financial assistance to enjoy outings, such as going to the movies or taking their kids out for ice cream at a local shop. Really?

If this does not give you reason to pause, then think about it. I do not know what will. We live in the greatest country on the planet. You know why? Oh, we have forgotten. We are in a moral decline in this country, no doubt about it. However, we are the greatest country on the planet because we were founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a country, we put God first, always. As a country, we used to.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Let me clarify my point. We do not work to be saved, nor do we work merely for the treasures in heaven. Our motivation for serving must come from the fact that we are already saved and that God loves us deeply. Even though we were sinners living in our sins, He came and died for us so that we might have life. What could be more important than serving Him?

As for all this stuff that surrounds us daily? It will one day belong to someone else. Either that, or it will simply cease to exist.

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:7-10

You cannot say. “Yes. I'm saved. But I do not have time to share the gospel. Gotta make that money.” Or things like, “I wish I had more time to serve God. But you know, I gotta pay the electric bill.” Did you not know that if you are working to serve God and working for the kingdom, then you are worthy of compensation? Look here. Turn to 1 Timothy 5:18

“For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.” 

When Jesus sent out the disciples, He told them to take nothing. And He said this.

“No bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.” Matthew 10:10

What does He mean? He means He will provide. God will provide. Why? “Your Father knows that you need them,” and “The laborer deserves his wages.” God will never ask you to do something that does not give you the necessary tools. All you have to do is trust in Him.

If he tells you to quit your job and join a church full-time, quit. If God tells you to move, move. Evangelize. Then go do that. To be a Missionary, go do that. Life is far more than working 9-5, or more like 24-7 nowadays, and paying bills on Friday.

I've said this before: every secular goal is bound to death and decay. Think about that. I will say it again. Every secular goal is bound to death and decay. What is today is rubbish tomorrow. Why worry a lot about things that do not matter in the long run?

That car you love so much? Rubbish

That house, or houses, you like to brag about? Rubbish.

That money hidden where you hid it? Rubbish

Your clothes? Rubbish

Everything you have or ever will have, while here on this earth? Rubbish

Enjoy the nice things you have, and if you are blessed with something you desire, take pleasure in it. However, always remember not to place anything above God or what He is calling you to do. Seek the Kingdom first; He will meet your needs and provide you with a life of abundance.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

-

Do you remember being a kid on Christmas morning, or even as an adult, buying a car? The Thing, / Car, whatever, is brand new, beautiful, and you can not wait to show it off. Then time ticks by. That thing? In the corner, forgotten. That car? Faded, dented, scratched, ready for a trade-in.  

Let’s say you spend your whole life acquiring stuff. Better yet, let Jesus tell us. 

“And he told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'” Luke 12:16-20

It happens more than you think. Someone works their entire life and retires, and in a very short time, they are gone. Then? It starts. The vultures gather. Every family member has their hand out. So  “the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Not yours. 

It is okay to want stuff. Within reason. It is ok to want nice stuff. However, you have to be careful to be sure that it is not what you are working and living for. Seek God first. 

Join us next time when we will discuss our next Idol, Celebrities. Join us, won’t you?

Remember, you can find so very much in the archives at TAG The Email is, as always, truthbygod1@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord.