Finding the right balance between enjoying all that God has provided and seeking first the Kingdom in our finances can be a challenge. In addition, we often find ourselves struggling financially and we wonder why.
There is one person in our life that we seem to spend lots of money on. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much money we spend on her. We don’t like to think of ourselves spending so much on that person, but we do. If you want to grow in godliness, stop spending so much money on yourself! There, I said it.
Without realizing it, we think about things we want and need, laying our plans to purchase these things now or later. We are bombarded with messages from advertising on television, at the movies, in the mall, in the newspaper, on billboards when we drive, and from the people we love who know exactly what we “need.”
Somehow our mind gets wrapped around the idea that buying lots of stuff will make us happy, take away the pain in our lives, help us to become more organized, or help people to love us more. We know, of course, that stuff won’t make us happy, but we are bombarded with the lie so often that we start to believe it.
Secret Stuff Area
We each have a secret stuff area. That is the area where we really believe that purchasing items of that kind will make us happy. My secret stuff area used to be shoes…it is just amazing how quickly a new pair of shoes can brighten up my day. I still spend gobs of money on books – just a little here and a little there.
What is your secret stuff area?
Flowers, chocolate, clothes, music, CDs, DVDs, jewelry, electronic equipment, bling, designer purses, software, or accessories might be your secret stuff area. Maybe it is not so secret. Maybe it is more than one area…you just love to buy stuff for yourself.
Sometimes we kid ourselves into thinking that the money we spend is all on others, but if you are honest and list everything you spend, you will find that you purchase all kinds of things for yourself. You might buy snacks, drinks, new clothes, comfort foods, music, books, or accessories on impulse when you are out shopping for the family or running errands. We don’t think about it, but it adds up.
Examine Your Heart
How we spend our money reveals our heart?
Examine this area of your life ruthlessly.
- Do you spend money on yourself?
- It may not be a lot of money, but is it often? Is there an aching need in your life that you are trying to meet with stuff?
- Is there pain in your life that you are trying to numb with shopping for things that you could live without?
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that,” (I Timothy 6:6-8 NIV).
Is contentment impossible in our culture?
It just might be! There is such a pull on us to want stuff. But, if we are godly, we will be content with food and clothing alone. Wow! That doesn’t even include shelter. Ouch, I feel convicted. I do want to be content and godly.
What is it that wages war against contentment, so that we must indulge ourselves?
God’s Love
In trying to figure out why Christians spend so much money on themselves, I have become convinced that they honestly don’t understand the love of God.
When we know how much Jesus loves us and how He delights to bless us, we don’t have to bless ourselves, we can wait and let God do it. There is such a hunger inside every man, woman, and child to be loved. We try every kind of substitute that exists, only to find they are all fakes. Only God’s love completely satisfies. Only His good and perfect gifts come without strings attached that cause turmoil and heartache.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry,” (Colossians 3:5 NIV).
This verse teaches that greed is idolatry, not a big surprise, since it can be a substitute for experiencing God’s love. This puts spending money on yourself in a more serious light, though. Consider carefully your ways and heart attitude in this area.
So, stop feeding the appetite of greed and start meditating on God’s love for you. It will change your spending habits!
Remember you are loved!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
