In a pious kind of way, I’ve always been proud of my resistance to materialism. When I do spend money, it’s usually on books, and then only those I can’t get at the library or that I really want to own. Not that this isn’t materialism, too, it is, but somehow because it’s books, it doesn’t crack my pride and piety.
My only real ambition (career-wise) has been writing, and I never made much money at that. I have not cared so much about my career “label,” or my salary or what kind of car I drove, I bought clothes at Walmart or Target or sometimes Goodwill, let my one or two pairs of shoes wear out before buying new ones. I’ve been basically broke most of my adult life, at the best of times living paycheck to paycheck. Often, living with no paycheck.
I am apparently a slow learner, or I’ve been living in denial. At this late stage in my life, duh, guess what . . . I need money, whaddya know! Who woulda thunk?
I’ve been hindered by some serious health issues the last few years. But God has blessed me richly by taking care of my needs through others. In that respect, truly, I feel like one of His favorites! And that makes me smile.
Do you think God cares about our material well-being, or are we on our own? I don’t want to be rich, but I was tempted recently to do something dishonest just because I need the money so badly.
(Prov. 30:8-9 “Give me neither poverty nor riches–feed me with the food allotted to me, lest I be full and deny You, and say ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”)
6 responses so far ↓
heaintthroughwithmeyet // March 21, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Catherine,
I been tempted many times, especially at work. Not because I am a cashier but it just happened at work three times. Three different customers just leave after they asked for money back at the DEBIT thing. They just leave it. Once I caught a customer the other two times I turned it over to customer service. The other incident was when I cashed my check on a register. WHen I got home I realised that the cashier gave me $20 dollars to much. I gave it back the next day when I got to work. TO the surprise of my manager, he asked me three times “Are you sure this isnt yours?” NO, it wasnt mine, YES I was tempted, but I didnt give in to the temptation. It is not easy been a christian and/or a good moral person at times. But thats also what He meant when he said we will suffer. I also live from paycheck to paycheck for most of my adult live. I come actually from a wealthy background but do not associate with this part of my background anymore, therefore funds were cut off for me
Anyway you keep on doing what you doing. I also shop at wal-mart and not only because I work there. ANd I love me some thrift stores, but in my size it is hard to get anything there. All the fat people hang on to their stuff till it cant be sold anywhere…lol
Blessed evening to you
Andrea
cumby // March 21, 2007 at 4:50 pm
People look for kindness, patience and love in a Christian. If they’re looking for outward success, then their priorities are wrong.
I find that as I give, I receive from the Lord, Jehovah-Jireh. It’s very simple. That goes far beyond material blessings. It is an immutable law set in place that works for unbelievers also.
Riches seem to mess up people’s priorities, accept for the few that can handle it and still keep the Kingdom of God first.
The scripture you presented is right on the money.
totaltransformation // March 23, 2007 at 4:21 am
I LOVE used book sales at the local library. Sometimes I come home with boxes of books for less than five bucks.
Posts I Enjoyed Reading This Week 3/23/07 « christiannewsanalysis.com // March 23, 2007 at 10:11 am
[...] Living in a Material World [...]
krislinatin // March 26, 2007 at 11:08 am
I often think, but probably not often enough,
would doing this dishonest thing, really be worth all the grief i would cause so and so. or God, IF i could lose my salvation with this dishonest thing, is it worth it?
kristina
krislinatin // March 26, 2007 at 11:08 am
i second TTT, i go to the annual library sale and load up on the books!