Possessions - Burden or Blessing - It Depends

My Utmost For His Highest

“The true deep crisis of abandonment, or total surrender, is reached internally, not externally. The giving up of only external things may actually be an indication of your being in total bondage. Have you deliberately committed your will to Jesus Christ? It is a transaction of the will, not of emotion; any positive emotion that results is simply a superficial blessing arising out of the transaction. If you focus your attention on the emotion, you will never make the transaction. Do not ask God what the transaction is to be, but make the determination to surrender your will regarding whatever you see, whether it is in the shallow or the deep, profound places internally.” CHAMBERS

When we share our story about our spiritual journey and how we abandoned earthly possessions, often times, people marvel at what they consider a great sacrifice.  Accumulation and possession is a big deal in the United States, if you have not noticed.  So giving those things that are prized and to some are an indication of being “blessed” are seen as significant and ultra-spiritual.  What it actually reveals  is the insidious nature of love for the things of this world that we struggle with and are often overcome by.  1 John 2: 15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

It is not that having things is wrong.  What is wrong when those things have you.  The rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 went away from Jesus sad.  He didn’t understand that God is interested in our hearts not our wallets.  It is not the “things” that are the problem.  It is the love of things.  Possessions can become our gods.  Especially in this country.  So don’t marvel when someone does what God views and “normal”.  Use it as an occasion to examine your own heart.  Possessions are not inherently bad.  They can either be a burden or a blessing … it all depends on what God asks you to do.  And whatever that is … do it.  God will provide.  ELGIN

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)