Keeping up with Jesus

We have all heard the saying that person is trying to keep up with the Jones'. We all struggle with wanting what others have. Especially in a world where media portrays things equals happiness. There is a show where this family has all the money in the world, but they are some miserable people.  I honestly don't see the glamour in it at all. You may have a $5,000 handbag, but does that make you joyful deep down in your heart? Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean anything bad. I've seen tons of families honor the Lord with their money first and by doing that it puts their priorities in place. Dave Ramsey says money doesn't have morals its like a brick. The person holding the brick can through it through a window or build a house. Money isn't bad its how we use it.

Hebrews 13;5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

What is contentment? For me its living in the present, not always living your life focused on the future. Living with the future in mind but not always focusing on materialistic. God wants us to be more focused on investing in him. Our intention should be to seek the fulfillment of God, not what we do with our money. (Although that is important. I'm not saying it's not it's just about priorities)

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.

I like the last sentence in this verse...for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. What do you treasure? When you hear that question does a list of things in your house come to mind? Or is it your relationship with God and loved ones? It is not wrong to have or want other "treasures" (things), but if you are content and fulfilling your purpose through Christ the "things" won't overtake you because your 1st priority isn't stuff. It's okay to have things as long as those things don't have you.

Whenever I broke anything in the house or even messed up my car, my parents were never mad that I damaged their stuff. They always said its just stuff! I'm so grateful for their example of putting God first in their money. I was taught what tithing was whenever I had enough money to tithe a dime.

Psalm 34:8-10
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in HIM!! Fear the Lord, for you will lack nothing. A lot of us read this and say I honor and respect the Lord, but I lack a lot of things, this means you won't lack anything spiritually. Doesn't mean Christians get whatever they want, but those who call upon the Lord will be answered, sometimes in unexpected ways.

It can be hard not to try to keep up with the Jones's, but God wants you to keep up to speed with him and his purpose for you life. This is much more rewarding and has much more of a reward in the end. No item will be forever, but our God reigns always.

Keeping up with the Kardashians  Jesus
baahahahha
ok prayer time lol
prayer:
Lord put a desire in us to crave you more than things. Help us to know that all we have forever is you! You are our number one priority! Let us focus on storing up our treasures in heaven more than on this temporary earth. In your name...
Amen