Possessions

Meditation
Luke 12:15--He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.

​WARNING!!! Jesus Christ determined that greed is hazardous to our spiritual health.  

Let's not candy-coat the words of the world's greatest Teacher or ignore the concerns of our Savior!  Let's stop suggesting that preachers and teachers should not focus on issues that might make us feel guilty.  Let's dare to engage in rigorous self-examination.  In our land of plenty is one of the greatest spiritual dangers we face the insistent need to feed our materialistic appetites?  Are we in danger of defining the value of life by what we own?  Jesus said, “Watch out!”

Did Jesus say possessions are taboo?  NO! Did He say that we should never buy or own anything?  NO! Does the Bible give us examples of people being blessed with wealth, or making purchases—YES!  So where do we draw the line?  
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Here’s a simple heart diagnostic test.  
1.    Am I uncomfortable about addressing the subject of possessions? 
2.    Do I find myself getting defensive about what I own and how I spend my time? 
If the answer to either of these questions is “yes”, there is a strong probability that greed has gained higher ground in my life than I ever intended.  

There is nothing wrong with a computer or a television—each is simply an inanimate object. But if I would rather play computer games or watch programs (especially of questionable content), than spend time fellowshipping with God, I’m in trouble!  There is nothing wrong with a house, a yard, pets, clothing, cars, or food—unless my heart is drawn more to these things than to Jesus.  The more I please myself by what I own the less inclined I am to focus on my relationship with a jealous God who does not want to hold second, third, fourth or fifth place!  In essence, if possessions have too great a hold of my heart I am in danger of idolatry! 
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Watch out! Better to live an abstemious life with a heart devoted to God than to one day stand before Him and have to give account for a non-ending love affair for that which He warned us would burn!  
 
Inspiration
One thing we are realizing today is that to the majority of us civilized life is an elaborate way of doing without God.  We have not been living life hid with Christ in God; we have been living in the abundance of the things which we possess.—Oswald Chambers in Christian Disciplines
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)