Funny Money
In the last while we have been spending more than usual. We spent quite a bit on the house to get it ready for sale. We got a second vehicle because I need a vehicle for work and Rob finds it difficult to get the kids back and forth to school without one, especially when his back is bad. And we've bought some furniture for the new house.
I've noticed that spending is linked with guilt for me. I have found it hard to enjoy some of the new pleasures, dare I say blessings, in our life and found myself feeling like I need to explain and justify our purchases (notice how much explanation I included about the car). I feel a bit torn. I don't wish to be part of a consumeristic lifestyle that seeks fulfillment from constantly getting more stuff. This comes from both spiritual and practical values.
On the other hand, I started to think I'm off balance. Here I have some nice new (to us) things in our life and I am constantly feeling like this is bad, instead of being able to enjoy it with thankfulness. How does God see all this, I wonder. Is he going "Tsk, tsk, too close a relationship with the root of all evil, there." Or does he look at me like I look at my kids on Christmas, thrilled to see the happiness that is there because sometimes my love does show itself in stuff.
I've noticed that spending is linked with guilt for me. I have found it hard to enjoy some of the new pleasures, dare I say blessings, in our life and found myself feeling like I need to explain and justify our purchases (notice how much explanation I included about the car). I feel a bit torn. I don't wish to be part of a consumeristic lifestyle that seeks fulfillment from constantly getting more stuff. This comes from both spiritual and practical values.
On the other hand, I started to think I'm off balance. Here I have some nice new (to us) things in our life and I am constantly feeling like this is bad, instead of being able to enjoy it with thankfulness. How does God see all this, I wonder. Is he going "Tsk, tsk, too close a relationship with the root of all evil, there." Or does he look at me like I look at my kids on Christmas, thrilled to see the happiness that is there because sometimes my love does show itself in stuff.
posted by Jude | 8:59 PM
1 Comments:
Aw Jude, I can relate. I think just the fact that you *worry* about missing the mark in this area is proof that you are not missing the mark, if that makes any sense. I do think that your Christmas analogy is a good one, and that God does love to provide graciously and generously for His children, and likes for them to delight in His generosity and goodness.
I think a good plumbline is analyzing wether your satisfaction and contentedness is directed toward Him as such a great gift giver (rather than directed toward the objects themselves).
When I was a kid I used to worry "how do I *know* I'm saved." My pastor one day told me that (remember I was young, so he wasn't very diplomatic about it)... "retarded people don't worry about wether or not they are retarded and non-saved people don't worry about knowing wether or not they are really saved."
So girlfriend, if you are worrying about becoming a materialistic consumerist, you are most likely not in danger of becoming a materialistic consumerist ;)
Blessings as you enjoy all your blessings!
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