Bulging Wardrobes/Closets

[Fragrant Grace]

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise
Luke 3:10-11

Just sharing a few simple thoughts that have been on my heart

We live in a spoilt greedy world of material things

Just looking at the amount of clothes in our household is quite a shameful eye opener

Yet this is not the way the Bible teaches us to be.

Dear Lord may our hearts and minds be decluttered of the world, that only Your love reigns and that we may walk humbly in Your ways, sharing Your love.

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 4:32-35

 

[B-A-C]

At least here in the US, many of us are a spoiled nation.

We have 3 or 4 cars (or more). Three or four televisions, 300 cable channels, $200 dollar tennis shoes, 3 or 4 computers, 3 or 4 smart phones, three or four video game consoles...
and of course all of those things have to be the latest and greatest models we can afford (or maybe we can't even really afford them).

And yet... orphanages don't have enough food or beds, millions in Africa are starving, homeless shelters are full to bursting, (admittedly, sometimes
this is by their choice, or because of alcohol and drug addictions) charity organizations (which are sometimes most charitable to themselves) are
short on food and clothing.

Why is this?

Maybe we need to take a look at Matt 25:34-46; more often?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon
Matthew 6:24

I think we westernised wealthy Christians have to admit we serve money
We have our homes full of " got to have" stuff

But the Bible says Ye cannot serve God and mammon

How do we break out of this?

O Lord break these bonds that tie us to this world.
Bind us and lead us in Your ways that we may walk in love truly for You

 

[amadeus2]

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon
Matthew 6:24

I think we westernised wealthy Christians have to admit we serve money
We have our homes full of " got to have" stuff

But the Bible says Ye cannot serve God and mammon

How do we break out of this?

O Lord break these bonds that tie us to this world.
Bind us and lead us in Your ways that we may walk in love truly for You

Having the things of this world that God has blessed us with is not in itself evil. "Serving" is where a problem can arise. Jesus also said,

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matt 6:33

First things need to be first and then after that other things may be applied. If we are first 'seeking God' and first 'seeking his righteousness', can we not pursue a hobby or a pastime or etc. so long as they clearly remain in 'second place'? This is not an easy thing to do. For us it is impossible, but if the Spirit of God is in us and we are continuously, repeatedly asking for His help and surrendering to His will, will not He bring through to where He wants us to be?

Your last two lines changed to bold red are an example of what we need to do regularly. Jesus also says:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you:" Matt 7:7

So long as we do not ask amiss, will He not give and show and open to us?