Blog Layout
Life is Not About Possessions
Andrea Lende • October 1, 2020
Luke 12:15
Life is Not About Possessions
You can also listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Life-is-Not-About-Possessions-ekf5c1
Luke 12:15
“And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.”
Jesus was talking to thousands of people as we read His words here.
I find it interesting that even two thousand years ago there was a desire to acquire riches.
They didn’t have the modern conveniences of today.
It seems that in the world we live in today there is a plethora of things that are available for purchase.
There are so many things that we cannot possibly purchase them all.
But back then?
What is it that the people would have wanted to buy that would consume their time, energy, and thoughts in accumulating?
It seems there has always been a desire to accumulate more than we need as Jesus’ words speak to in our verse today.
One of the messages I see in this verse is that real living isn’t about wanting and having more just for the sake of having it.
There is so much more to life than the accumulation of things.
When I set my mind on the things of this world there is little time for anything else.
I set God aside while I work on various projects.
I set God aside to clean and take care of the things I have accumulated.
In most recent years, I have been turning my attention from things to God.
I seek to simplify my life.
Simplify my surroundings.
Simplify my tasks.
Uncomplicate the world in which in I live day to day.
Our verse today also spoke to me as our family faces more long furloughs.
I am reminded that the things of this world are of little real importance and I can rely on the Lord to provide even in times of lack.
I need not be afraid of the days ahead but rely on Him to take care of our needs.
He can temper my desire for more things of this world, new things of this world, and better things of this world as I watch Him provide for the NOW things.
Today I choose to look to the Lord to supply all that I need and thank Him for every blessing He chooses to bless me with.
May you find that the Lord will supply all of your needs and that He will truly bless you with the desires of your heart along the way.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for providing me with all that I need and with so many things I desire. Thank You for showing me that the desire to have more than I need is not Your way or purpose for me. You have always been so gracious in Your provision for me and the family You have given me, and my hope continues to rest in You. Thank You for all that do for us and all Who You show us You are. You are the God of Might and Power. You are the God of Miracles and Blessings. You are the God of Grace and Mercy. And You are the God of Love. You are the God of this universe and God of my heart. Thank You for choosing me to know You and worship You, Father. Thank You for every special moment with You that You offer me. Thank You for allowing me to sit at Your feet and be covered in Your peace. Help me stay in peace today no matter what the circumstances are around me are. Help me be grateful for all that You do for me. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: You are My child, and I will always take care of you and bless you.
Response: Thank You, most gracious God and King.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.