For God so loved the world, that He gave…
John 3:16
Thoughts on today’s verse…
The word “lifestyle” has been popular for several decades. In simplest terms, this word means how we live from a financial standpoint, the possessions we choose to buy and how much money we have to spend.
A lot is being written lately about the ‘simple life’ – down sizing or down scaling, especially with the current state of the economy. Yet at the same time, we see an ongoing exaltation in our culture of all that is “excessive.” As a people, we seem to love peering into the Robin Leach ‘lifestyles of the rich and famous.’ We might even envy the rich and famous. And every few minutes television commercials are telling us to buy more and better possessions, more and more things. (And these commercials will increase soon as we are entering the holiday season.)
Those two paths – one toward a materially leaner life and the other toward a materially fatter life – are like opposite lanes on a highway. We are either traveling one direction or the other. We are seeking to discard and down size, or to acquire and add.
God’s Word calls us to neither a Spartan nor an opulent lifestyle, but rather, to a lifestyle of generosity – a life without greed or hoarding. A life of giving freely, a life of putting everything we have at God’s disposal. Our lifestyle is not about how much we earn, what we own, or where we travel and reside. Its how we relate to other people and how willing we are to share what we have with them.
Today, as you walk through your home, touch your various possessions throughout the day – from the appliances to your clothing and your vehicle – ask yourself, “Would I be willing to loan, give or share this with other people?” Written in the margin of my Bible is this, “One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.”
My prayer…
Lord, help me to see those areas of my life and lifestyle that need to change. Help me to exchange my myopic vision to that of global vision. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!
Yours, because we’re His,
Tamara
Wonderful words of wisdom, if we all would share even our hoarded things so many could have a better way of life....so many hang on to so much they seldom if ever use.
ReplyDeleteRelationships are so much more important and when it's from the heart it is a true relationship......:-)Hugs
Absolutely inspirational, Tamara!! Thanks for this beautiful reminder of what's really important!!!! Much love to you, this day~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteA wonderful, loving reminder that we can't hear or think of too much.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has ever lost someone can appreciate how little value 'things' have.
blessings and hugs,
marcy