Snowcalypse 2016!!! We here in Knoxville are battening down the hatches for the snow has arrived! Activity is grinding to a halt. At any rate, some personal thoughts and reflections this week.
Luke 12:15 (ESV) 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
The world Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland is generating some interest this week and a new study has revealed that there are 62 people who own more than the 3.5 billion people who occupy the lower half of the world's population. Then there is the report that discounts this new finding, saying that the methodology used in determining that number is faulty and biased thus rendering the first report untrustworthy. Whatever. I will leave that to the experts. Let me bring this down to a more personal level.
Shelley and I are in the process of reorganizing and cleaning our house. Trying to find a place for everything is....how shall I say it?......Challenging. The sheer amount of "stuff" just in our little ol' house is crazy. Bluntly, there isn't enough room. Capisci? Literally as I write this, I am looking at an internet article that Shelley must have printed, entitled the "91 Day De clutter Challenge." After seeing this article a couple of days ago while surveying all the stuff, I turned to her and said that we were indeed pack rats, I said "we need to become 'minimalists.'" Then she responded with a remark that sparked this week's blog. She said in effect that the reason that she (and me too) were pack rats was due to a "poor mentality." I inquired after her and she explained that the mentality had taken hold of her during a time of need in her life. She felt as though she needed to store stuff for fear of not having it in the future when she might need it.
We've all heard the stories of the depression era folk who lost their trust in banks and put all their savings in the mattress. My grandparents were members of that generation. All their hard earned money kept close because of a well founded distrust of banks.Ever done anything like that? I have, more than once. Only problem I have is that instead of stressing out over the trustworthiness of the banks, I now have to stress over the possibility of a fire, or a burglary wiping out all of my hard earned savings.(BIG SMILE) So what are you gonna do? Huh? Tell me. Can't put it in the bank, it might go belly up. Can't leave it at home for stressing about it being destroyed or stolen. Can I get an AMEN here?!
While pondering my dilemma the above verse strolled into my consciousness. lol. Why this verse I don't know. In this particular verse Jesus is talking about covetousness, but the word I was hearing was trust. Unless you are one of the above mentioned 62 or, if you have been stranded on a desert island somewhere, then you have probably heard about the economic, financial, moral storms that have been brewing in our world, lo these past few years. The doomsday scenarios and their causes are many and varied. And all, in this writer's opinion, have at least an element of truth in them. Some more, some less.But, ALL contribute to weakening of our faith don't they? The Apostle Paul called them imaginations or arguments that exalt or raise themselves against the knowledge of God. Not only that, we are in a struggle against these "strongholds" taking possession of our minds and hearts.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV) 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus promised us an abundant life.
John 10:10 (ESV) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Now whether this promises material abundance I don't know. It certainly doesn't preach that way in many parts of our world does it? And for sure it doesn't condition it on our faith or lack thereof as is commonly taught today. Maybe, and I believe this is it, it promises a life of freedom. Freedom from constant worry. Freedom from ulcer producing stress. Freedom from trusting in ''stuff" that can be lost, destroyed or stolen.
Listen, do you really believe God has a problem with us having a bank account or a "mattress" account if that is your thing? Do you think that He is against us having a decent home or car?No, of course not. As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches the wisdom of putting a little back for a rainy day. It's only when those possessions become strongholds in our lives and we begin to trust in them instead of God, that we are flirting with danger.That truly is a "poor mentality." And the really sad fact is that it is possible to be one of those 62 and be shackled with that mentality. Material wealth isn't a factor in making that determination is it? It is when we find ourselves leaning in that direction; when we begin to worry about how we are to protect the stuff, that it is time to "declutter" our minds and hearts.To bolster our faith and trust in the owner of it all. Amen?
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV) 1
2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
God Bless
Good word to ponder on !
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