Possessions Can Possess Us

Chuckle: "Only floss the teeth you want to keep!"

Quote: "It is impossible to out-give God, to out-reach His concern, to outrun His mercy, or to out-live His love." --William Arthur Ward

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" (Luke 6:38 NASB).

This devotional is borrowed from an unknown author. I hope it is a blessing to you.

God is the source of everything and He supplies "all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NIV). And His riches are unlimited and eternal! Our obedience to His principles demonstrates that we trust Him in all areas of our lives, including our finances and possessions. According to Deuteronomy 14:23, one purpose of tithing was to teach the people of Israel to put God first in their lives.

How we handle money reveals much about the depth of our commitment to Christ. Jesus often talked about money and one-sixth of the gospels, as well as one out of every three parables, touch on stewardship of money and possessions. Money matters. For some of us, though, it matters too much. "But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9 NLT).

Often, it is easier for a person to live by faith when he does not have money than when he does. The one who has nothing has little choice about how to live and is much more inclined to live totally dependent on the Lord. But when a Christian has money in the bank, he has a choice to make. He can spend it by faith or he can spend on self. John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest gentleman on board the Titanic, once said, "I am the most miserable man on earth." In a situation of plenty, it becomes most important for Christians to properly use the wealth that God gives them.

Attitude toward things and not the things themselves constitutes good or evil. On the one hand, it means that the Christian must not covet money or the things it can buy. On the other hand, it doesn't mean the Christian should not enjoy the things that God gives him, if these things are placed in proper perspective and bought in the will of God.

If every one of your possessions and all your finances were taken from you today, would you still find yourself able to thank the Lord? Would you be content in all things? Chances are this won't happen, but you should, be truthful as you contemplate your answer to these questions. What standard of measure do you use in counting your blessings?

“Money is an article that may be used as a universal provider of everything – except happiness.”

Love, Jerry & Dotse