Another Reminder
The fight against materialism is one of the major battlefronts in the
Christian’s war against Satan. This is especially true here in the
States. Let’s face it: we are a rich nation. What generation has
experienced the standard of living we today find ourselves enjoying? The
houses, the cars, the computers, the sports equipment, the stereos, the
clothing, the libraries, the televisions, the toys, the stocks, the
retirement accounts. These are enough to make one wonder, “What more
could we need or want?” We are rich.
But riches can come with snares. In fact, one does not even have to be
rich to be ensnared by materialism. The Bible says, “But those who
desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some
have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9-10). One can be as poor as
poor can be, and yet through his desires be the biggest materialist of
the age.
Being rich in material goods is not wrong, but the misuse or non-use of
them is. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty... Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for
the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (6:17-19).
We realize that these points have often been made in Bible classes and
from the pulpit. Yet the need to continually remind ourselves of these
truths cannot be overstated. How easy it is to fall prey to the love of
this world’s goods. How easy it is, even one week after hearing a lesson
devoted to this subject, to again become wrapped up in the pursuit of
“things.” Our Lord Himself warned, “Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one*s life does not consist in the abundance of the
things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).
Dear ones, let us remember “how hard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:24). Let us not become “fools” as
the man of Luke 12 did who, after “his ship came in” said to himself,
“Soul, you have many good laid up for many years; take your ease; eat
drink, and be merry,” thinking only of the here-and-now. Let us not be
as the “rich man” of Luke 16 who as well put all his stock in this life.
Both of these thought they had “won the world,” I suppose, but they lost
their soul for eternity! Think about it! “For what is a man profited if
he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Concerning this matter it behooves each of us to “exhort one another
daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of [us] be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Let us daily remind ourselves
where the true riches lie, in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. "Do not
lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. But lay 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” (Matthew 6:19-21).
--Mike Noble
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