what do you consider "excess?"
A few days ago there was an item on the local news of a pastor in the Twin Cities who lost a ring valued at six thousand dollars. He was given this ring at his ordination. I thought it rather excessive and said so on the comment section of the Facebook page this was posted on. I replied how churches could best use that money to help others and that maybe whoever found it, instead of seeking a reward, could just give it back without thought of getting something in return. Boy was I lambasted! One person said, "thank God you're not MY pastor!" Another disagreed with me and said that ring represented the glory that this man could give to God.
Hmmmm...now wait just a minute.
A ring? Give glory to God? When there is so much need, do you feel that you need a piece of jewelry to give glory to God?
Did Jesus need one? No, in fact, He told us that if we saw someone with no coat and we had two, to give one away.
Did St Francis of Assisi have jewels? No, he shunned anything of value and died wearing nothing at all. Same with Mother Teresa. She wore a simple sari and her love for others as well as God shone on her face like a beacon in the night.
Although it was intended as a nice gesture, I would have turned down that expensive piece of gold, hoping instead to help others without distractions such as this "bling" represented. How attracted are we to our possessions? Do you buy expensive things, and then fret over the fact they may be stolen, lost or damaged? Then why burden yourself with it, other than trying to keep up with someone who also has expnsive things? Live simply, so that others may live is my motto. I carry very minimal amounts of money in my wallet and then only if I am going to the store for groceries. I drive a much older car, I live in a simple home. And I am happy for it.
Can you say the same? Or are you held hostage by "stuff?" Do you have alarms and security systems in case of theft? It's kind of like the story in the Bible about the man who had barns and came into a good harvest. He bragged how he now needed to build BIGGER barns to store all of this wealth, instead of giving it away. In the end, moth and rust took over and spoiled the whole crop that he had stored away. As Matthew 6:19 admonishes: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but rather, lay up your treasure in heaven."
and here:
Matthew 19:21: "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
It isn't that God doesn't want for you to be happy, it's just that when others happiness is sacrificed for your own pleasure, that is where Pride comes in and takes hold.
What will you do today to ensure another has joy in their life? How will you share your bounty that the good Lord has given to you?
Hmmmm...now wait just a minute.
A ring? Give glory to God? When there is so much need, do you feel that you need a piece of jewelry to give glory to God?
Did Jesus need one? No, in fact, He told us that if we saw someone with no coat and we had two, to give one away.
Did St Francis of Assisi have jewels? No, he shunned anything of value and died wearing nothing at all. Same with Mother Teresa. She wore a simple sari and her love for others as well as God shone on her face like a beacon in the night.
Although it was intended as a nice gesture, I would have turned down that expensive piece of gold, hoping instead to help others without distractions such as this "bling" represented. How attracted are we to our possessions? Do you buy expensive things, and then fret over the fact they may be stolen, lost or damaged? Then why burden yourself with it, other than trying to keep up with someone who also has expnsive things? Live simply, so that others may live is my motto. I carry very minimal amounts of money in my wallet and then only if I am going to the store for groceries. I drive a much older car, I live in a simple home. And I am happy for it.
Can you say the same? Or are you held hostage by "stuff?" Do you have alarms and security systems in case of theft? It's kind of like the story in the Bible about the man who had barns and came into a good harvest. He bragged how he now needed to build BIGGER barns to store all of this wealth, instead of giving it away. In the end, moth and rust took over and spoiled the whole crop that he had stored away. As Matthew 6:19 admonishes: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but rather, lay up your treasure in heaven."
and here:
Matthew 19:21: "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
It isn't that God doesn't want for you to be happy, it's just that when others happiness is sacrificed for your own pleasure, that is where Pride comes in and takes hold.
What will you do today to ensure another has joy in their life? How will you share your bounty that the good Lord has given to you?
wow! and just in time because holiday season is right around the corner. Although I didn't hear the story about the missing ring on the news, it is very relevant. Why indeed is a church giving away expensive jewelry? You hit he nail on the head here. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAre you jealous of those who worked hard for their stuff? what is so wrong about having comforts and nice things? I think you are deprived.
ReplyDelete