HOW MUCH DO WE NEED?
The mindset of many is to accumulate the most, the best, and the richest. Yet, what are the riches that God would have us choose? Perhaps we should ask ourselves that question daily.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Only What I Need
Animals are interesting critters. A cat, though fully sated, will guard his dishful of food just because it belongs to him. A blue jay will push other birds away from the feeder because he, being bigger, is entitled to first place. A squirrel might hoard so many acorns for later eating that she will forget where some of her stashes are. Such animal behavior seems normal, but a critter’s personality also can determine its behavior. Just like people. We all have our reasons for acting as we do and, unfortunately, many times our reasons are selfish.
To keep things in perspective, we all might memorize Proverbs 30:8-9: "…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
There is a danger in being impoverished. Many desperate people have stolen, and perhaps have been sent to jail, for the sake of themselves or their families. Conversely, there is great danger in having too much—"disowning God." Countless people, perhaps Americans in particular, are rich in worldly goods. Yet many are poor in spirit because they put their trust in their belongings rather than God. "I don't need God," they may believe. "I can help myself. After all, look at all I have."
“Minimalist living,” conversely, a new term used for those who choose a simple lifestyle, is more than about removing clutter. It’s about making room and time for the things we love and getting rid of distractions and anything that doesn’t add to the value in our lives. A minimalist lifestyle reminds us of Jesus, who said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)
Such a lifestyle brings us to ponder our own way of life. If we are believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we should trust in God alone, not in our possessions, education, health, or our position in society, politics, or the workplace. Choosing Him over all else can assure us of the freedom from worry about theft, maintaining our stuff or what will happen to it when we're gone.
Jesus would have us "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)
Lord, thank You for all Your gifts. Cause us to choose only enough to meet our personal and family needs, and sufficient to support Your work by giving to those around us who are in need. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comments