Worldliness-Part 3

Stuff:

Well, unless you live in a communist utopia you have some stuff. Some people have more and some have less, but they all value it. After all, he who dies with the most things wins right?

"Covet" seems like an old, outdated word, but what does it really mean? Put simply: coveting is desiring stuff too much, or desiring too much stuff.

But is it really so bad to like things?

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and money. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. (Luke 16:13, 14 KJV)

Having stuff isn't bad, what's bad is when the stuff gets us.

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:13-21 KJV)

Let's look at four things that attract us to stuff.

1. My stuff makes me happy

According to Gregg Easterbrook:
"The incredible rise in living standards for the majority of Americans and Western Europeans has made them more affluent, healthier, more comfortable, more free, and more sovereign over ever taller piles of stuff-but has not made them any happier."

Interesting, so maybe having the most things doesn't make you happy... Many of the most successful, rich, and outwardly happy people are inwardly depressed.

2. My stuff makes me important

He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

3. My stuff makes me secure

Luke 12:16... (read it above) the rich man's wealth didn't help keep him alive.

4. My stuff makes me rich

True riches are in the heart. We live in this world for a few years, we live in eternity for, well, eternity.

It's really late so I'm going to sleep...