Photo: Brad Harrison

“Beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not of the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Materialism. It seems that most of us at one point or another are consumed with wanting the newest gadgets, the hippest clothing, or the fanciest car. We may not be able to afford such pricey items… but “wouldn’t it be nice…” is our fantasy.

In Luke 12 Jesus tells of a story and it goes something like this:

There once was a rich man whose crops yielded a rich harvest. He looked at all he had and was impressed. He knew the barn he owned was not big enough to house all this goods.

And so he thought, “I will build for myself bigger barns and then I will have room for all my wealth. I have so much I don’t have to worry about the future. I’ll take it easy, eat, drink and be merry!”

Then God said to the rich man, “You fool! Tonight, your soul is required of you! Then who will possess your riches?”

Jesus concluded the story saying, “So is he that lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Addicted to Stuff

What treasures are you laying up? Are your treasures of this world? Or do you have riches in the kingdom to come? Especially here in North America, the average family is over-run by possessions. Look at the popularity of home organization businesses, products and books! We have so many things we have to really think about where to put them.

Think of all the money folks could save if they didn’t feel the need to have the latest gadgets or the most expensive cars or houses they can’t really afford. We are addicted to materialism and debt.

Jesus said we are worth much more than our possessions. Things cannot make us happy. True happiness comes from God. No one ever lies on their death bed and wishes they had more clothes or bigger TV’s or fancier cars. Instead they think of all the words they never said, or the time they wasted. They simply wish they had more time.

You can’t take earthly riches with you when you die. But if you seek after God and His righteousness – you’ll find riches forever more!

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By Melissa Ringstaff. Copyright © 2006 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.

Read more at the source: Your Treasure

Article excerpt posted on en.intercer.net from Family First.