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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Madness of Materialism

The Madness of Materialism
It is sad to see how many people have been duped into thinking they can buy a favor with God by giving. Jesus has something to say to us about pursuit of worldly materialism.

Welcome to the Getting To Know Jesus weekly devotion. I’m Glen Copple, Minister of the Word.

This week’s thought comes from lesson 063 which is found in “Getting To Know Jesus” – Volume 05. Our Scripture text is found in: John 6:25-29.

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

The Madness of Materialism
How many times have you heard people say that if you give to God, He’s going to give back to you more. They will even back their statement with Scripture. However, have you noticed that there are a lot of Christians who give of their means (some even beyond their means) and the only one who is getting richer is the person to whom they are giving?

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give to support God’s work. He designed it so His Church would need our financial support so we would have to put our money where our heart is. If you truly love Jesus and what He did for you, giving is a pleasure and an act of worship of God (over your money).

However, too many well-meaning Christians have been told that if they give more, God will bless them with more than they give. The bottom line is that they are giving in hopes of getting more back (of what they are giving) from God. They are not giving merely because the love Jesus and want to build His Church/Kingdom. They are being told that this giving will make them richer.

Jesus confronted the people who chased Him down after seeing Him feed over 5,000 with a young boy’s lunch. They didn’t care about forgiveness of sin and living eternally with God. They simply wanted free food, without having to work for it. In other words, they wanted a free handout (welfare) more than they wanted eternal life.

We need material things to live on this earth, but most of us do have more than we really need. Life is not about acquiring, but about giving what we have to help those who do not have.

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Don’t get caught up in materialism, but seek God’s Kingdom and live righteously before Him. Believe in the one who God sent to pay the penalty for our sins and you will have eternal life. Make God your god and not money. Use the money God provides through your job and resources to further His Kingdom – not so He will give you more, but because you love Him and want to see the Church/Kingdom increase.

Do it for Jesus.

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God bless you and have a great week.

New Hope GOSPEL Ministries
http://www.gettingtoknowjesus.org/

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