Yesterday I shared a cup of coffee and good conversation with a complete stranger, but our conversation didn’t feel that way. Granted, this was an arranged get together... but encouraging non the less.
We talked briefly about my upcoming pilgrimage to pursue deeper relationships with those from other cultures and my desire to connect people in America to greater needs around the world. After a few encouraging words and a little advice, our conversation shifted to American culture. Both of us agreed that we had a “secret” desire to see a less distracted culture, one where we do not constantly witness people acquiring stuff to make us happy or more comfortable.
Then he said something that was so simple, yet so profound. I had to write it down.
Freedom is what money creates in our society.
I was immediately brought back to my notes from last week’s sermon on Matthew 6. There was so much truth behind these words that I actually became a little overwhelmed. This idea that I have struggled with about American culture being a distracted culture, seems more accurately defined as a culture that is pursuing “freedom”. The more “responsibilities” we have, the more money we need in order to receive freedom from those responsibilities… vacations, cars, clothes, and the like.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… …For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is a lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:19-24
One of the reasons we are sooo distracted by a consumer market is because we desire freedom. There is more to it, but I strongly believe this to be a large part of why we struggle with stuff. If I could only have “this”, then “that” would be better. We are looking for freedom in things and money, when really it can only come from God. It is not only with money, though. This is also true for many areas of life. Work, relationships, and achievements are often pursuits of what only God can fulfill… security, love, and affirmation.
Do we still need money? Well, that is an interesting thought; and I want so badly to say, “No”. Billions of people are living on much less per day than you or I ($2 roughly), but when examined closely it is all assigned a dollar value. Yes, the world operates on the exchanging or trading of some form of currency, but Jesus is quick to warn us about what or whom we serve.
You cannot serve both God and Money.
The more we turn our focus [eyes] towards trusting in something [Someone] greater than ourselves, and our own power, we can find freedom. Likely in the form of less stuff, and more sacrifice. What was the model the Christ and his followers laid out for us? They gave it all… they trusted Him with everything they had...
I feel like I have had to say this on multiple postings, but please do not come to the conclusion that I believe possessions to be bad. This is not that case. I know that great good can come from those who God has given much. I am not asking everyone reading this to sell everything (however, if God puts it on your heart I won’t stop you). For me, I need constant accountability about where I spend my resources, because I have not been given much, and my desire to do “good” is much bigger than my bank account.
So here is my question for all of us, how are we pursuing freedom?
Are there needs, locally or globally, that we are ignoring in our own desire to be free? Do we need to entrust our desires for freedom to Someone else? Or, are we trying to serve both God and Money?
