“Don't confuse having less with being less, having more with being more,
or what you have with who you are.”
― Unknown
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Get rid of stuff.
What is it about stuff, anyway? Why are we so enthralled with it and why do we accumulate so much more than we need or could ever use? Maybe we want to be cool. Maybe the latest "must-have" item will make us the envy of our friends. Maybe we enjoy being admired when we’re driving in a shiny new car because t makes us feel successful. Stuff carries a high price, not only monetarily, but spiritually as well. When these nice things become all we think about, the things begin to control us and It draws us away from Jesus. It lures us into chasing after things, instead of after God. It can make us greedy because we want to use our money for more stuff instead of maybe helping someone who is in need. It tempts us into loving things more than people. Choosing God over material things may be one of the toughest decisions you'll ever make, but it’s the only way to lasting fulfillment and peace of mind. Tangible things can break, be stolen, or fall apart. True joy comes from you relationship with God, which is forever. He will not leave you and no one can make Him stop loving you. He won't charge you to spend time with Him and He will be there in the good times and bad. God wants us to be abundantly blessed and have nice things, but He does not want those nice things to take His place in our hearts.
Focus Scriptures:
Luke 12:15
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
1 John 2:17
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Joy in Action Today:
What possessions do I spend the most time with? Is there a daily activity that I do that is taking away time that I can be spending with God? Set aside a time in your schedule to spend alone time with God. Turn off the electronics, find a comfortable space, and ask to not be disturbed.