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?
I think the rest of chapter 6 puts a lot into perspective in regards to possessions and money... It's not that we don't perhaps "need" money to survive in a capitalistic society or achieve capitalistic "freedom", but it's that we are to trust in the Lord first and foremost and he will give us a truer freedom than we could imagine... a freedom where all the rest just seems like fluff.
ReplyDeleteI always think of those toys they have for toddlers where you have to fit the square piece into the square hole and the triangle into the triangle and so on. Sin causes us to keep trying to stuff all kinds of the wrong things into the wrong shaped hole in our lives. A hole only God can fill.
Matthew 6: 25-33 (one of my favorite passages)
"25. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28.And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29.Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Good post Cyrus. I enjoyed reading this.
God Bless.
-Liz W.
Cyrus,
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the statement that "Freedom is what money creates in our society". I think it may create the ILLUSION of freedom, but not real freedom (I'll ponder that some more and get back with you...)
Also, not only did they give it all, and "Trusted Him with all they had", but they trusted Him FOR all they had. They trusted that their daily needs would be met - food, clothing - like the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.
Last February, I did something I intend to repeat going forward. It was a "Spend-free February". We didn't spend for "wants", only for "needs". It was (very!)challenging, and really helped us (me and the kids) talk about and evaluate what was truly a "need" and what was truly a "want".
I also have some thoughts on the fact that I think we get so lost in the pursuit of "Stuff" because it is easier to work (perhaps even a second and third job), get paid and comfort ourselves in/with a nice home, comfortable clothes (more than we ever need!), gadgets, cool car, etc, etc, than let Him lay His hands on our hearts, do the "work" that needs to be done there and experience true freedom and true comfort.
I really appreciate you and your blog. It gets me thinking, listening, and challenges me to seek out Truth.
~Linda
Liz and Linda,
ReplyDeleteGrrreaattt comments, thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspectives, as well as encouraging deeper reflection.
I am grateful for comments like these that add, clarify, and even challenge what has been written. It only makes for a better understanding for myself, and hopefully others who read.
I'm thankful for your both and your encouraging words.
Be blessed,
Cy