I need more? Really?

Stuff, commercialism, bigger homes, larger bank accounts, better vacations, newer cars, better computers, more clothes, bigger boats, larger TV’s, more channels, mores shoes, better phones—the list is endless.  We are part of a culture that needs so much.

Here is what Jesus said:
Luke 12:13-21
“13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”
15 Then he said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.”
16 And he gave an illustration: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
17 In fact, his barns were full to overflowing.
18 So he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store everything.
19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.””

• Apparently what we possess is NOT suppose to possess us
• Jesus is not as impressed with things as we are.  (Wonder what his estate was worth when he died?)
• There is a tendency to strive for things.  Something deep within our hearts says—“Yes—I need that car…or whatever.”  Probably everyone of us—if we are honest—say that about something.
• If we work hard at getting temporary things OVER our relationship with God-we are fools!
• It comes down to a matter of priorities—which might be judged by the following:

1. Take a look at our budgets and see where we spend our money.  How much of our budget helps the poor and needy?  How much goes to evangelism?  How much goes to support the work of God? How much of our budget goes to missions?  
2. Take a look at our schedules.  How much time is spent in building and maintaining our relationship with God?  (Prayer, meditation. rest, reading)  How much time is spent in serving others?  Remember Jesus’ suggestion?  (Mark 12:30, 31 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’  The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  No other commandment is greater than these.)

Those are probably the two key areas—as noted by Jesus.  

Prayer:

Lord where are my priorities wrong?  Lord you said where my treasure is—my heart will be attached.  Lord where are my treasures?  Lord I surrender my stuff to you.  Lord I surrender my finances to you.  Lord I surrender my schedule to you.  Lord I want to prioritize my relationship with you and others.  I want to love you, serve you, be with you MORE and MORE.  As David said: “Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”  Help this to be true of me—I surrender to you to day.  Help me to serve others--care for others--love others.