Every early spring and late fall, my lovely wife and I go through the possessions that we own to see what we no longer need, to find wants that we purchased that are no longer as desirous to us as they were when we first purchased them.
Over the years, those items that either went to the thrift store, or into the trash bin have decreased exponentially, to where a small bag from the grocery store usually suffices as enough to place them in.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
There are many men, if I can call them that, that will tell you that no matter how big you build your garage, it will not be big enough. There are people who rent storage units because they will not, not cannot, but will not control their spending impulses. There are people that will not let go of material possessions that they should not have purchased in the first place.
The power of persuasion my friends is a formidable enemy indeed. Unless, for many who profess to serve and love the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the persuasion of the Holy Spirit. And even He is an enemy to our flesh.
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
That friendship, to a large degree, is not only the path that those of this world are upon, pride, lust, envy, lives lived apart from the Almighty, but of the things of it as well. Those material possessions not seen as needs, but as wants unfulfilled. And those supposed wants can become needs within us quite easily.
Something to make our life easier, something that will bring a form of happiness, even if it is only temporary. An item that brings a sense of security and presumed safety. Cell phones and ring door cameras come to mind with that last one.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1st Tim. 6:8)
Hoarding my friends does not just rear its ugly head when you look around at all of your possessions and think, “I need a storage unit or a bigger garage,” it arrives with desires, and if there is one thing that our adversary is well versed in above all others, it is how to place those desires before us.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Prov. 31:10)
I know where my greatest earthly desire is at, she is upstairs right now.
“My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.” (Prov. 8:19)
I know where my Spiritual desires are set, upon wisdom, the wisdom and knowledge of God.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2nd Peter 3:10)
The trap of collecting the things of this world is first recognized within us when we see the desire for them within ourselves first. And know this truth, those things, those items you possess are not evil in themselves, it is your want of them, your wants that turn into needs, and then the desire within you not to let go of them that may cause your Father in heaven to exert upon you a form of correction to assist you in understanding their real value.
The power of persuasion is one of the reasons that we are to keep the armor of God on us continuously. How you view those items you possess will tell you much about who you are in Christ.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1st John 2:17)
Do not let this world tell you where true happiness and contentment comes from.
