I’ve got way too much – I really do. America is arguably the wealthiest single nation on earth and I’ve lived here all my life. Don’t get me wrong; I’m thankful. I am grateful for what the Lord has given me. I’ve got clothes (lots of them), food (in abundance and variety), housing, a job, a whole slew of extraneous things (computer, phone, etc), a small library and quite a number of non-material benefits. And I’m thankful! God has provided for my needs and allowed me to enjoy much that surpasses my needs! So why would I start this post as though I have a problem?
I think I do have a problem. You see, I don’t always treat all this stuff for what it is: just stuff. I start off by enjoying it. That’s a good response – God doesn’t provide for us so that we can be grumpy or ungrateful. But sometimes “I gratefully enjoy this” changes to “I really really like this.” Then that grows into “I don’t know what I’d do without this” which morphs into “I don’t think I could live without it!” By that point, I’ve got a problem – I’m depending on provision, not on the Provider. If you’re like me (like most Americans, probably), you know what I’m talking about. Perhaps you’ve felt the same way about your car, your house, your job, your cellphone or your wardrobe. We are so surrounded by stuff that we don’t think much about who gave it to us. So now what?
Our problem is that we’re surrounded by our stuff, not by God – it’s easy to focus on what He’s given and forget about Him. The solution is to reverse that – to surround ourselves with God and focus on Him. This materialistic idolatry is a two-edged sword. Not only do our things replace God, they also take up so much of our attention that we can’t get to the solution! We must get around this if we’re to enjoy God fully (after all, He is much more satisfying than any provision He gives!).
I believe that the solution is to set aside time with God – and to deliberately put away the distractions. Your stuff-problem is your computer? Close the lid and meet with God in a different room. It’s your house? Go to a church or park where you’re not surrounded by the problem. Turn off the phone; get out of the car; leave your office troubles with God – spend time with Him without distraction. Doing this on a small scale (daily time with Him) will take care of the problem on a large scale (replacing God with His gifts).
I am thankful for the abundance of the country God has placed me in; I pray that the gifts won’t steal my heart and displace the Giver!
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (I Tim. 6.17).