Needs and Greeds

Shut up and take my Money!

By Rev. Adam Fox

Greetings and  a warm salutations to my readers. TGIF for me here. But as I sit at my desk, looking around my spacious office the thought hits me. I have a lot of cool stuff. 

I am so blessed. I have too many electronic devices, I have cups and mugs galore, pops, books upon books... 

But sometimes its hard to see that. Instead we focus on the new news of The Samsung Note 7 - fire extinguisher not included, or the new Iphone 7 or new Apple Watch 2, or the new Apple Glass - iPatch. Okay that last one was my own idea, but it would be amazing!

As Americans we have always loved our things. We seem to be going cycles of using things and saving things. And we are stuck in the need, buy, break, throw it away cycle. 

I am no different. I ave a wonderful iPhone. It is not the latest model, but it is crack free, and works like a champ. But when Apple tells you about the new phone and how fast and bright and fantastic it is, it makes me hate Charlie the iPhone a little. 

I have as an adult have always leaned towards the want of money and want of possessions. Things and money help in many areas, and are a sure sign of status. 

When I was away at Olivet for college, I had the stuff bug and sadly, I was poorer than ever. So I would go to Target or Walmart in town and grab a cart and fill it up with things that I would want to buy. So DVD, clothes, foods, toys...

But because I was broke I would take each Item and reason with myself if I NEEDED it. I nearly always did not. Item by Item. Until I had nothing left. I would then ditch the cart and go home. 

Was this the smartest thing, no. But for me, it helped with my shopping problem.

Do I or us have a WANT problem?

Is that wrong? 

What does the Bible say?

The Bible is clear about the love of Money. It is a dangerous love.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 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. 10 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

The love of money, or possessions is dangerous. It puts money or things in place of God. The most important thing in our lives should be God. Above Nation, above family, above the Bears, above even our significant others. 

Am I saying that we should live the life of Saint Francis? No. What I am saying is that we should be careful with our love of things. It is an addiction just as drinking or smoking or porn can be. 

We should realize that having the latest Nike or best cell phone does not truly earn us status or security. That can only come from God. And having a storehouse full of back-up Beanie Babies does not give us that. 

Jesus told a story that outlined this principle. 

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12

Be careful friends. I know I will be. I have been watching my spending habits and using my money for better and smarter things. 

As for Charlie the iPhone, he will be around for a while longer. And it looks Like Tom Haverford is wrong on this one.

Until next time dear friends. Hope you enjoyed the bonus post.

Excelsior and Cheers!

Pastor Adam