Addicted to Stuff

I'm guilty...

So are you.

Don't get me wrong, economically, I'm a capitalist through and through. I think, as a society, that system pushes us to innovate and generally compensates those willing to put in the time and effort to get ahead. Certainly it's not perfect, but in my opinion, it's the best there is. We are so blessed. Regardless of your personal financial situation, the fact that you have access to the internet probably places you among the richest people in the world. According to a study by the World Bank from 2008, upwards of 80% of the population of the world lives on $10 a day or less. That's an astounding number! You are richer than literally billions of people!

So why do we complain and obsess so much about money endlessly? For sure, there are real problems. Situations arise that are beyond our control. Sickness, injury, job loss, etc. For the most part, however, we have everything most people could ever dream of wanting yet we always want more. We allow ourselves to be brainwashed into believing our "wants" are "needs". We often toil such long hours in pursuit of the means for these material things at the cost of our relationships. And those are the "lucky" ones. Those unfortunate souls who, for lack of opportunity, or motivation, don't have access to those same financial means, tend to bury themselves in debt in the pursuit of the next must have toy, or bigger house, flashier car, and on and on. They find themselves in an impossible situation. Now they MUST work those long hours, or second jobs, to maintain the way of life to which they've been bound.

It's all so meaningless. And I'm guilty more than most. But what I'm learning (and it's a process, believe me) is to be content. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not condemning owning nice things. I'm not condemning those with more money in their checking accounts than me. This applies to all of us, from all walks of life. The point is this: We need to make sure that we aren't sacrificing too much for the wrong things. Striving to get that promotion or furthering our education or skill sets isn't a bad thing. And there are seasons in life when we are busier and then others when we have more freedom. However, missing out on quality time to build relationships with our families or mortgaging our financial future for present trinkets and doodads are hardly worthwhile endeavors.

So how do we content ourselves with where we are while still keeping a healthy (key word) desire to "improve" our lot in life?

The apostle Paul speaks to the first part in Philippians 4:12-13.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Our situations may change, but God never does. He is our Provider in good times and bad. As long as we rely on Him (a real, active relationship), we can be assured of the strength to have that contentment, even if the world tells us something different.

The second half of the equation is a healthy desire for increase. The principle here is doing your work with excellence. If your motivation is purely money, money, money, you'll never have enough.

"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

But if your desire is to bring excellence to whatever you do, I believe that God will honor that. Paul writes about this very principle in Colossians 3:23-24.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Joseph illustrated this regardless of his situation. From a slave, to a prisoner, to the second in command of Egypt. As a result, not only was he blessed, but those he worked for and with were blessed as well. Eventually extending to an entire nation! So while we know that doing our job with excellence may reap greater monetary benefits, that should really be a byproduct of striving to follow God's instruction for how we should labor. The target should be excellence in obedience to the Almighty God rather than the "almighty dollar."