Materialism: Divided Interests

Those who buy something, [should live] as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them.

1 Corinthians 7:30-31

Webster’s Dictionary defines materialism as, “the theory that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the highest value and greatest good in life.” Is that true? Do comfort and belongings mark what’s most important to us? Of course not. Yet we must confess that, although we wish it weren’t true, our lives often reveal that materialism has hold of us.

Two things occur when we reflect on this. First, we see ourselves all too clearly. Second, the Word commands us not to let the blemishes of the world stain our soul. Why? “For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). God wants us to live for the world that is coming, not for the world that is going.

I can recall so vividly the days of my unbridled materialism. I wanted to be a Biblical Christian, but I was so engrossed in my own worldly affairs that I simply did not penetrate the spiritual life deeply, even though I sincerely wanted to. Do you see the trap? We can congratulate ourselves for our good intentions while continuing to live a secular lifestyle, believing intentions are as good as actions.

Truth be known, many of us live more for the world that is going than the world that is coming. It takes time, lots of time, to manage all the “things” we accumulate. Time, in the final analysis, is the ultimate resource. Where are you spending your time? Pleasing God, or managing your assets? The Lord says, “I would like you to be free from concern.” (1 Corinthians 7:32). Is that the record of our calendar and checkbook?

Only a unique person could climb the corporate ladder all day, be absorbed in worldly affairs, and then slow down to the pace of Jesus. Here’s the problem: We all tend to think we are that unique person. We are the one who can do it; we can manage to maximize two worlds. We cannot.

We can only maximize one world. We will be engrossed in the affairs of this world, or we will be engrossed in how to please the Lord. “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24, emphasis added). Do you see it? According to the Word of God, there are no unique people. No one can pull it off, but we always think we can. It is time for some of us to confront our own materialism. Have you been trying to maximize two worlds? Have you tried to serve two masters?

The action plan is hard. It is simple, but hard. You must surrender all the things you have bought and every worldly thing you are using to the Lord. “Those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them.”

He may let you keep some or all of your things; He may increase them. Or He may prune you back to a useful level. If you listen to His leading, He will clarify His desire for you. If you don’t listen, He will gain your attention in other ways. He works in our lives regardless of our level of cooperation, but surrender produces the most fruit.

We must adjust our lifestyles until they offer a viable alternative—an alternative of hope—to the confused and broken world all around us, a world that is passing away. Give what you don’t need to the work of Christ. Devote time to loving one another. And remember that the time is short. Live for the world that is coming, not for the world that is going. “For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31).

I SURRENDER

Heavenly Father, I confess that too much of my life has been spent on comfort and belongings. Show me how to maximize my spiritual life. Give me the courage to recant my materialism. I want my lifestyle to speak for itself. Help me to live for the world that is coming and not for the world that is going. Amen.