Do You Think It’s Time for a Garage Sale?

“Show me the money!”  That line from a popular movie some years back describes the feelings of many in our material-rich culture.  What we don’t have, we want and believe we deserve.  If you need proof, just look at all the “stuff” that fills your child’s or grandchild’s playroom (since their toys no longer fit in the toybox or closet in their own rooms.)  Or better still, look in your own garage (where there’s not enough room for your car) or in your self-storage unit to see all the items you’ve accumulated that apparently you don’t need, but thought you did!

If you’ve been saving for retirement or just to create a nest-egg, how did you feel this week when the stock market took a nose-dive?  I know it’s easy to fixate on what you have stored away for the future, but this week Warren Buffett lost over 12 billion dollars.  Yes, with a “B”.  Do you wonder if he thought, “Oh well, easy come, easy go”?  When we become too focused on gaining and keeping wealth, God has a way of re-focusing our attention, doesn’t He?

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.   1 Timothy 6:6-10

When the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to pen those words, He knew you’d read them.  They were written by someone who had seen great wealth in the world around him, but who had also seen terrible need and poverty.  Paul understood that lack of material wealth could create dependence on God if viewed properly, just as possessing great wealth could instill a false sense of independence in those whose bank accounts were large enough.  Money, it seems, can change how we think about God.

The Creator of all things knows we have needs.  In fact, Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  (Matthew 6:31-32).”  Please take note that the things mentioned by Jesus are the same two mentioned by Paul – food and clothing.  I realize the list of things you think you need may be longer than that (go look in the garage again), but God may know better than we do.  Because IF we are only expecting the basics, everything else is seen as a special blessing from God.  And if we see all the rest of what we possess as being from God, it creates “godliness with contentment”.  Remember that line?  That’s what God is all about doing in our lives – helping us to more completely reflect His character.

Earlier in that same passage from Matthew, Jesus challenged us regarding wealth:

 “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.”   Matthew 6:19-21

What’s His point?  If your future home is heaven, you’ll be leaving behind all the things you think are important now, because when you arrive, everything you could possibly want is already there waiting for you!  I don’t know about you, but it may be time for a garage sale.  Because wouldn’t it be a shame if I left my heart there?

Jacob