The Abundance of Things

"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."~Luke 12:15.

My wonderful husband can be found quoting this verse at least once a week. It's not for my benefit, but it is beneficial to me! It's a wonderful reminder to search my heart, are the desires of my heart eternal/spiritual or for the here and now? We live in such a materialistic society. As I drive down the street, I can confidently distinguish (almost every time) what kind of driver the person in the particular car will be based on make, year, model, etc. I won't name any makes or models so as not to offend. :) I will often point out certain cars to Scott and say, "Now watch this, that driver is going to speed past everyone in this line-up and cut off the person at the front without using their blinker." I don't know about you, but I learned not to butt in line in kindergarten. Ok, so I seem to have side-tracked and am now onto one of my biggest pet peeves, but this actually falls into the part of our society that I call egotistical. (II Timothy 3:1-4) I'll stop that rant here and now and get back to where I was heading.
Our society seems to be governed by things. Things that will make our life easier, more comfortable, more convenient, more time-efficient, more enjoyable, more colourful, more fun, etc. Advertisements take over our shopping centers, billboards, street signs, signs on lawns, clothing, food packaging, newspapers, shopping bags, receipts, mail, vehicles, license plate covers, keychains, pens, etc. These advertisements attempt to convince us how much we need these things. Do we need anything that God has not already supplied for us? Is it really beneficial for us to have all these things that make our life more convenient? I've heard these words come out my mouth more than once, "How did they do it way back when?" Referring to using cloth diapers, dusting with a rag instead of a Swiffer, using newspaper instead of Charmin, having to walk instead of hop into our fancy cars on our speedy highways, etc. Now, I'm not saying that I'm going to stop using my disposable diapers, Charmin, or my car...I guess what I'm trying to say is, have I bought into the need mentality? If so, I've been deceived. These things that I think I need are actually just wants, what God calls covetousness. I don't need a newer car, I don't need a better bed, I don't need a new kitten or a puppy, I don't need more clothes, etc. God is providing for ALL of my needs right here and now. He has provided a reliable car, a warm bed, a nice doggy that I don't even have to take care of, and plenty of clothes. He even provides for my wants, the little things! I think in my mind that I am truly thankful, but really, when I search my heart and really see the things I covet after I wonder, does God see me as thankful?
This has all stemmed from a thought I had this morning. I was looking at kittens on the internet on Kijiji and the SPCA websites. Suddenly I realized, how much time have I wasted looking at kittens when I could have been spending my time much more profitably for the Lord? We don't have our own house yet, Scott is the one who wants to surprise me with a kitten sometime later when I'm not expecting it so I won't be picking the kitten anyway, and is this a need? No! So that led to another thought, am I coveting something God does not want me to have right now? Yes! Ugh. What it came down to, I am not being a good steward of my time and my thoughts are being taken over by kittens. Last night, Scott said (half-joking, I think), "You need to get pets off your brain, my Love." And the last thing I said before falling asleep was (after "I love you"), "All I see is bunch of kitten faces when I close my eyes. They're taking over my brain!!!" That right there should have been a red flag...
So, it doesn't matter what I possess or lack here on Earth because my God owns it all and He has and is truly blessing us!! Pastor mentioned not holding onto the things in this life so tightly this past Sunday or a couple of Sundays ago. Here are some promises I will be clinging to in hopes of reminding myself not to hold onto things of the here and now so tightly. 

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."~Luke 12:27-34.

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."~Luke 12:40