Living in the Western World, we are raised up and indoctrinated into the world of materialism.
Materialism is a preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.
As Christians we are encouraged to consider Godly or Kingdom values and most “-ISMs”, like material-ISM are dead opposite to those values.
-ISM is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nouns from verbs; on this model, used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice, state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion or adherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism).
Now having material things in itself is not a bad thing. It is good to be able to have a car – I can get to work, shop, take friend to church, etc. But when we hold onto material things too tightly or begin to pursue material things as a focus in life…this is unhealthy for us.
I just love how the early church community held all their material things lightly. They in fact saw that all was a provision from God and it all belong to Him ultimately. Think of it – God was the Creator of all things as we know it in the world. Everything we create comes from the earth, which He created – it is all His.
With this in mind, it wasn’t hard for the early church to hold on lightly to their possessions.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
ACTS 4:32-35
What a different world it would be if this Kingdom value was the norm in our society.
Prayer: Lord, all that I have is yours. You can do with it as you choose. Help me be a good steward of all that you have placed into my possession. If you want me to lend it , I’ll lend it. If You want me to give it away, I’ll give it away. Help me to hold onto your possessions lightly. In Jesus’ Name I ask it. Amen.