DEALING WITH STUFF

DEALING WITH "STUFF"

"Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive orchards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen...?" (2 Kings 5:26)

Gehazi, Elisha's servant, could not bear to see Naaman depart with his gifts of silver, gold, and changes of garments. "As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him." But Elisha went with him in spirit and, upon his servant's return, immediately exposed the covetous act. The prophet's rebuke came in the form of a question: "Is this a time to receive money, clothing, lands, possessions..."

I'm told that my Italian grandmother from the old country owned two garments. When one was in the wash, she wore the other. Simplicity is a beautiful thing. My wife and I are in the midst of an effort to simplify our family life. At the outset, it became clear that we must address two things; the attic and our wardrobes. I wish I could describe the satisfied feeling I enjoyed as we looked at that very long line of "stuff" out on the street, and waited for the township dump truck. It seems that we can actually come to believe that our life is somehow bound together with that trash we've been carrying around for years!

Brothers and sisters, I believe these are the last days before our Lord's return-I have been convinced of this since early childhood. And I am also convinced that Elisha would pose the very same question to the Church today-"Is this a time to be occupied with 'stuff'?" No indeed, it is not a time to accumulate, and tend to our possessions. Material possessions can be a great distraction from doing the will of God and the work of the Kingdom. The world lives for the next purchase-the Church must not be of this mind. It is not a time to be focused on our own comfort, prosperity, and security. I am extremely bothered by any teaching in the church that might be characterized as "prosperity teaching." Jesus did not come to make us prosperous and comfortable!

The Church will never know victorious Christian living until we deal the death-blow to that coveteous spirit of Gehazi which is so prevalent in our culture and in our churches. - Peter Cardillo is the Director of Food Services at America's KESWICK and the father of a full quiver.

Today's Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 13-15; Mark 12:28-44

Great quote: Contrition, repentance, acknowledgement of personal responsibility and sorrow over sin should never include massive self-hatred and total self-rejection. God's conviction points to a specific sin, it is sharp and accurate, going straight to the point where repentance is needed.

Truly understanding this principle will lead you into freedom from your past so you can serve God and His people without the fetters of constantly looking behind. --Katherine Walden



Join us Thursday evening for our monthly Men's Fellowship Night. Pastor Dave Rittinger is our speaker. Call for reservations: 732-350-1187