Need Glasses?????
Busy week. Ever notice how when summer gets started we meet ourselves coming and going? During winter, the weather sometimes prohibits us from getting out. Too snowy, too cold....good excuses to crawl under a blanket with a cup of something hot. During summer, however, something hot means going swimming, sitting in the shade with a cool drink...anything but staying indoors. So it has been a week since I last posted. The subject was blind spots.....areas where we don't recognize someting as sin. Hmmmm.....
The American Dream. Those of you my age have basically lived it. We have houses, cars, clothes, boats, motorcycles, campers, the list goes on and on. My supply of endless food has made weight a health problem. Yet, we worked hard for what we have. I know I did. 31 years of 10-16 hour days, depending on how much I had at home to do along with school work. So, if I worked hard for it, I deserve it. I earned it.
David Platt talks about the American Dream as one of our blind spots as Christians. He has given us some food for thought about our "stuff". What I am about to say is simply that....food for thought. Any finger that's pointed is aimed directly at me. I obviously will not go out tomorrow and sell my "stuff", although I remember Jesus mentioning that..... My purpose in posting what Mr. Platt talks about is to give us a chance to examine ourselves and our priorities. To really look at how much our stuff means to us. To put glasses on a blind spot, and think about what we do with it.
Think about the things you have. Based on a world perspective, what things do we have that could be considered luxuries and what can be considered needs? I know children answer this in an interesting manner, frequently saying, "But mom, I REALLY NEED that _____________" (fill in the blank with whatever toy or tech device is currently an item). Adults no longer have to ask mom, we just write the check, or use the debit or credit card. We frequently fulfill wants, not necessarily needs. Whomever dies with the most toys wins. Is that the perspective in the bible?
I googled income levels for the world population, and I couldn't begin to understand a lot of it. I do know this. Those of us with an average income in the United States would be considered "millionaires" to the poor of the world. I have had a history of turning my face away from the issues of poverty not only worldwide but locally. I guess if I face that I have to face my duty to do what I can and change my perspective on my possessions.
At the end of this blog I will list some references about wealth the bible gives us. I urge you to purchase the book "Radical" by David Platt. It's a wonderful read, and really makes you think. There is no way I could do it justice here.
Our wealth (or lack of it) could never be considered as a basis for salvation. But I think what God wants us to examine is our love. What do we love most? And if we automatically say God, does our use of our resources show that?
Blind spots. I think we all have them. I plan to put my glasses on and try to figure out what mine are. I think I already know what a few of them are. What about you? Need glasses?
Scripture references : 1 Timothy 6:7-10 ; Mark 10:17-25 ; Proverbs 28:20 ; Luke 6:24-25
The American Dream. Those of you my age have basically lived it. We have houses, cars, clothes, boats, motorcycles, campers, the list goes on and on. My supply of endless food has made weight a health problem. Yet, we worked hard for what we have. I know I did. 31 years of 10-16 hour days, depending on how much I had at home to do along with school work. So, if I worked hard for it, I deserve it. I earned it.
David Platt talks about the American Dream as one of our blind spots as Christians. He has given us some food for thought about our "stuff". What I am about to say is simply that....food for thought. Any finger that's pointed is aimed directly at me. I obviously will not go out tomorrow and sell my "stuff", although I remember Jesus mentioning that..... My purpose in posting what Mr. Platt talks about is to give us a chance to examine ourselves and our priorities. To really look at how much our stuff means to us. To put glasses on a blind spot, and think about what we do with it.
Think about the things you have. Based on a world perspective, what things do we have that could be considered luxuries and what can be considered needs? I know children answer this in an interesting manner, frequently saying, "But mom, I REALLY NEED that _____________" (fill in the blank with whatever toy or tech device is currently an item). Adults no longer have to ask mom, we just write the check, or use the debit or credit card. We frequently fulfill wants, not necessarily needs. Whomever dies with the most toys wins. Is that the perspective in the bible?
I googled income levels for the world population, and I couldn't begin to understand a lot of it. I do know this. Those of us with an average income in the United States would be considered "millionaires" to the poor of the world. I have had a history of turning my face away from the issues of poverty not only worldwide but locally. I guess if I face that I have to face my duty to do what I can and change my perspective on my possessions.
At the end of this blog I will list some references about wealth the bible gives us. I urge you to purchase the book "Radical" by David Platt. It's a wonderful read, and really makes you think. There is no way I could do it justice here.
Our wealth (or lack of it) could never be considered as a basis for salvation. But I think what God wants us to examine is our love. What do we love most? And if we automatically say God, does our use of our resources show that?
Blind spots. I think we all have them. I plan to put my glasses on and try to figure out what mine are. I think I already know what a few of them are. What about you? Need glasses?
Scripture references : 1 Timothy 6:7-10 ; Mark 10:17-25 ; Proverbs 28:20 ; Luke 6:24-25
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