1 John 2:15-17
15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
When it comes to seeking to live a more simple life, I stop and ask myself this question. Am I loving the things of this world more than I am loving God? Often when I feel overwhelmed or frustrated, it is because I have allowed too many worldly distractions to invade my life and take away my peace. There are certainly times when life gets busy and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact there is a great saying I once read which says, “Idle hands lead to idol time.” I wholeheartedly agree with this! However busyness on futile pursuits is a real waste of time. Time that we can’t get back.
The goods gods of this world
The world is in strong pursuit of the goods of this world that are passing away. Deep down I believe that none of us are immune from the temptation to acquire things and follow the world and its ways. This is why “Thal shall not covet”, is in the 10 commandments. God knows that this will be a temptation for man. As I have mentioned in other posts, that owning stuff is not the problem. It is perfectly fine to own things that serve us. What is not okay, is when we have an unhealthy attachment to objects and they become prize possessions in our hearts.
Why am I buying this?
This scripture is not only about loving material items but about loving the things that are in the world. The ways that are not God’s ways. This could be any lust of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and pride of life. This verse really challenges me. If I’m honest with myself, behind many of my purchases is a wrong motive. To seek after something stemming from some kind of lust of the heart. Beauty products which promise to make me more attractive or young. That must have decor item to create the perfect look in my home. The perfect item of clothing that will make me feel happier. On and on, you get the picture! This is where the things we buy can tell a lot about who we are or who we want to be. Our purchases can reveal what’s in our heart.
Exploring our motives and the ‘whys’ of why we buy what we buy, can help us understand more about ourselves. As a Christian I don’t want to be ensnared by worldly temptations. The Lord knows that we are weak, but we can take heart because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
This year, I began embarking on a ‘low spend year’. Similar to the ‘no spend year’, but with a few exceptions. (I will be writing about this soon). Taking this challenge has been eye-opening. Not that I’m a big consumer anyway, however having set limits and not being able to just go ahead with spending has been enlightening.
A big hindrance for my holding on to physical possessions has been worrying about what people will think. Usually its not a problem in most areas of my life but in some ways I still need to learn to let go. When everyone is seeking after worldly goods, not seeking after them will look odd or weird. Funnily enough the bible says that God’s people would be a peculiar people.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
So our challenge and calling for today is to love not the things of this world or to store up treasures on this earth. But to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.