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Saturday, February 18, 2017

Materialism

What does “materialism” mean?  It is a focus on worldly things - a great regard for the physical and material things of the world.

What does the world say about materialism?  Our society applauds and evaluates success, which is usually measured by money or material things.  Usually, the idea is that someone who is successful, rich, wealthy is also a good person - someone to be imitated, to learn from, someone who can give advice and direction, because they know what they are doing, at least in their area of the business or industry where they operate.

Many people work long hours, even on Sunday, have two or three jobs, trying to accumulate as much
money or as much wealth as they can.

But what does the Bible say about materialism?
Matthew 6:19-21; 24 19: 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. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

How can serving God and money clash?  Putting money over God.  Not looking to God for help, but trusting in the riches.  Rich people usually get their way or their things as they can buy them – not needing anyone else.

Dangers of materialism
1. Materialism can spiritually choke the heart of a Christian.
Luke 8:14: The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way
they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
How can this happen today?  How can we prevent this from happening?

2. Materialism can prevent Christians from growing and maturing
Philippians 3:7-11: But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of
Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

How does materialism now allow a Christian to grow and mature?

2 Timothy 4:10: ...for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to
Thessalonica.

Materialism was one of the ways the Devil used to tempt Jesus, and similar temptations can be in our
life today as well.
Matthew 4:8: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms
of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
John 12:43: ...for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
How do we love human praise today?

3. Christians must learn to be content in life
Matthew 6:25-26;34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than
clothes?  26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Philippians 4:11: ...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

God cares for us, so this can lead us to being content. In 1 Peter 5:7 we read: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Timothy 6:7-10: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. 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.

Conclusion
Contentment is not based on circumstances, but in the fact that God loves us, He cares for us, and He
will always provide us what we need.

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