We live in a society where material possessions reflect our success. The house we live in, the car we drive, the clothes we wear, even the type of job where we work all make a statement to the world about how affluent we are. We all make opinions of others based upon their materialistic holdings.
In dealing with materialism, one unknown author has this to say, “when we look at what we want and then compare it with what we have, we will be unhappy. When we think of what we deserve, rather than what we want, we will thank God.” This identifies one of our main problems; we spend way too much time focused on the many things that we want. Although this applies to material goods, it can also apply to any area of our lives. The secret is to focus on “what we deserve.”
Jesus talked a lot about materialism in His Sermon on the Mount. Look at Jesus’ command to us regarding our desire for more wealth: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-20). These verses tell us not to store up material goods. The reason is described at the end: “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our purpose for living is determined by where we put the focus for our day to day activities.
There is nothing wrong with us having a lot of material goods. It is a slippery slope though, because if goods possess us, then our affection for God diminishes. Remember, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
