Possessed By Possessions
An allegiance to our possessions and to the deceitful promises of the world lead to our death. How easy is it to be comforted and ultimately controlled by the very things we have been blessed with. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” The cause of death and destruction remain in the love of the world, and the root of life and joy remain in Christ.
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:19
It is wise to heed the many warnings Jesus gave in regards to the destruction caused by clinging to our possessions (Mark 10:25), as a man turns away from Christ to keep his belongings (Matthew 19:16-30), and in knowing that we cannot be partially devoted to God (Matthew 6:24). We live in a place where the poor would be called rich and dependency on God is replaced with a reliance on self.
How many does God call a fool! How many does He spit from His mouth (Revelation 3:16)! How many are those insouciant to the coming Kingdom and wrath of a Righteous King! Christ desires a passionate devotion or outright rejection. Passion and devotion to the world to come, storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20) that will not be destroyed with this world.
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. - Mark 4:19
It is understandable why many teachers have and continually warn of the idols that can be made of our belongings and lifestyles and why it is so regularly encouraged to live modest lives. When things take the place of or interfere with our service and devotion to Christ, we have a clear solution (Matthew 5:30)--CUT IT OFF!