ROK-06
Short Clip
Here are the ten life-altering truths that we have meditated on for 30+ years as Bonnie & I regularly look at how materialism may be creeping into our lives. These ten statements are very useful for self-examination:
Ten Life-Altering Truths to Fight Materialism
1. You can’t take it with you – but you can send it on ahead.
 
2. The grace that has freed us from bondage to sin is desperately needed to free us from our bondage to materialism.
 
3. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.
 
4. God doesn’t look at just what we give. He also looks at what we keep. God judges what we give, by what we keep.
 
5. I’ve heard people say, “I want more of a heart for missions.” I always respond, “Jesus tells you exactly how to get it. Put your money in missions – and in your church and the poor – and your heart will follow.”
 
6. When Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it’s not just because wealth might be lost; it’s because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions. Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect our investment strategy. According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn’t simply wrong. It’s just plain stupid.
 
7. It’s increasingly common for Christians to ask one another the tough questions: How is your marriage? Have you been spending time in the Word? How are you doing in terms of sexual purity? Have you been sharing your faith? But how often do we ask, “How much are you giving to the Lord?” or “Have you been robbing God?” or “Are you winning the battle against materialism?”
 
8. Many Christians dread the thought of leaving this world. Why? Because so many have stored up their treasures on earth, not in heaven. Each day brings us closer to death. If your treasures are on earth, each day brings you closer to losing your treasures.
 
9. He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he’s moving daily toward his treasures. To him, death is gain. He who spends his life moving toward his treasures has reason to rejoice. Are you despairing or rejoicing?
 
10. When you leave this world, will you be known as one who accumulated treasures on earth that you couldn’t keep? Or will you be recognized as one who invested treasures in heaven that you couldn’t lose?
 
These life-altering truths are right in line with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. So, in 2 Peter 3 is actually Peter asking these beloved, fellow-believers the same question he was confronted with by Christ, early in his walk as a disciple:
 
Jesus Asks Us Who We are Living For