Jesus on Materialism by Harry Osborne (http://www.watchmanmag.com/)
While Jesus was in the days of His flesh upon earth, He talked with two men on separate occasions about the peril of riches. The cases show the pull of materialism from two very distinct directions. Though the events took place almost two thousand years ago, the truths presented are as relevant today as they were then. Greed was manifested then much as it is manifested today. Yes, the specific things which greedy people hoard today may differ in appearance from the things amassed in Bible times, but the nature of the process has not changed at all. Materialistic people are consumed with storing up the things of this world as the focus and priority of their lives. Let us all examine our lives to rid this evil from invading and overthrowing our souls.
The First Case -- The "Wannabe" Rich
The first man experienced the pull of materialism as one who was trying to acquire wealth. He was not yet rich, but was seeking to gain through an inheritance. He came to Jesus saying, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." To this Jesus replied, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" (Luke 12:14).
Jesus knew this man's problem. The man had his priorities in
the wrong place -- on the material things rather than the eternal
things. Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness,
for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things
he possesses" (Luke 12:15). He went on to relate the following
parable:
The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought
within himself, saying, "What shall I do, since I have no
room to store my crops?" 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. 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'" (Luke 12:16-19).
God, however, looked at these things in a different way. Jesus
declared God's view in these words: "But God said to him,
'You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then
whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he
who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God"
(Luke 12:20-21).
Christ wants us to understand where the true treasure may be found. It is not to be found upon this earth, but in the eternal realm. The true treasure cannot be locked up in a bank or sheltered in an investment, but is found in service to God.
The Second Case -- The Already Rich
The second man experienced the pull of materialism as one who was already rich and desired to maintain that wealth. He even had some interest in spiritual things. He came to Jesus asking, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18). His problem was not a total lack of desire for heavenly things, but misplaced priorities.
Jesus, understanding the man's problem, instructed him, "You
still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to
the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow
Me" (Luke 18:22).
The Bible then records, "But when he heard this, he became
very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that
he became very sorrowful, He said, 'How hard it is for those who
have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for
a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter
the kingdom of God'" (Luke 18:23-25).
Why is it so difficult for the wealthy to enter God's kingdom?
Because it demands that they place the things of God as their
first priority rather than themselves or their material possessions.
The apostle Paul gave the following charge in this regard:
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives
us richly all things to enjoy. 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 (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
In this age of affluence, all of us need to examine ourselves
to see how materialism is pulling on us. It is easy for each of
us to deny being wealthy because we define "wealth"
as having beyond our own level of abundance. However, in terms
of the vast majority of this world, we are all wealthy and would
be so viewed by most people on Earth. How would we react to the
Lord's command if it was given to us today? Would our love for
material things cause us to sorrowfully reject the call of Christ?
Is it possible that we may have already rejected Christ and His
cause by making His call secondary to our love of the things of
this world (cf. 1 John 2:15-17)? Just as Jesus knew the heart
of the rich, young ruler, Jesus knows our hearts today. If our
hearts are filled with materialism, covetousness or greed, we
cannot be acceptable to God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:3-5;
Colossians 3:5-6).
Conclusion
Over the years of preaching, I have seen both types of people given to materialism. Two in particular come to mind.
One was a young man who proudly told me that his main ambition
in life was to be rich. He followed the path of God's warning:
But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and
a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men
in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:9).
He is no longer faithful to the Lord. Sinful lusts and worldly
folly have taken their toll on him through the years. He now lives
a bitter life thinking all have conspired against him to cause
his trials; not realizing his plight is only life in the snare
set by his own greed. Had he years ago heeded the words of Jesus,
"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does
not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses,"
how much better his life would now be.
The other man conformed to the pattern of the rich ruler. He expressed a desire for spiritual things until a moment of truth exposed his greater desire for possessions. In his quest for this world's goods, one acquisition led to another and another and another. Like a child with a lap full of marbles, he grabbed for that possessed by others with one hand while he guarded his own, sure that everyone else had the same designs on his goods that he had on theirs. While consumed by avarice, his family and friends rolled away like so many spilled marbles. What a tragic waste! One looking at the man today can almost hear the echo of the words of Jesus: "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:24-25).
Let us be thankful for that which we have, but let us make sure that our true treasure is measured in spiritual terms. This will be accomplished only as we honestly and objectively examine ourselves by the standard of our Lord's teaching.
Your Funeral by Larry Ray Hafley (Selected from The Beacon)
Preaching a funeral is never an easy task. The only positive
thing about it is that it is an opportunity to preach the gospel
(1 Cor. 9:16; 2 Tim. 4:2).
Some funerals are difficult because of personal ties to the deceased.
Others are painful because of friendship with those who have lost
a loved one. None are easy or without sorrow, but perhaps those
that are the least difficult to preach are those of aged, devout
saints. The most difficult ones are those where the dead one is
almost certainly lost forever. The word of God refers to those
who die devoid of hope (1Thess. 4:13). To preach the funeral of
a young adult who has died without Christ is beyond agony for
all involved.
Someone will preach your funeral. Under any circumstances, it
will be a challenging ordeal. However, is your life making such
an event worse? What comfort can we give your family during the
funeral service? Can we console them with the thought that you
are "better off" (Lk. 16:25)? Can we truthfully say
that you have "gone to be with the Lord" (Phil. 1:23)?
Will we be able to say that we look forward to the blessed time
when we can join you "on the other side"?
If the answer to those questions is, "no," you need
to obey the Lord and be saved (Jn. 3:16, 36; Acts 2:38; 16:31).
Do not be caught dead without life in the Lord. Do not add to
the burdens of those of us who love you when we come to your funeral.
PARTING THOUGHTS
Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it. --Publilius Syrus
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. (Pr. 12:15)
Better to try something and fail than to try nothing and succeed. --Anonymous
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MONTHLY BIBLE READING: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel.
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BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of,
and visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
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Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com