the god of stuff

What is the most valuable possession you own?

When I asked a group of teens to name the one possession they would be sure to save in the event of an emergency such as a housefire they began naming things like their phone, car keys, pet, and PS4.

And how could I blame them? I'm sure my answer to the question of what is most valuable to me has changed multiple times over the years. 

What we find most valuable isn't always the thing that costs the most money. Oftentimes it's the thing that occupies the majority of our time.

As a child it may very well have been my game system. The original Nintendo for all the 30's in the crowd. That and a box of Little Debbie's were the prized possessions going in my bag the day I screamed "I hate you" and decided to leave home as a kid (The Life of a Prodigal).

As a teen, it was sports and relationships. I lived to hear my middle school girlfriend breathe on the other end of the family's landline phone while watching "Saved by the Bell" and "Family Matters" every day after school. And I was constantly trying to impress my classmates with some masterful art of hitting and shooting a ball. Those abilities were the most valuable possessions I owned through school and I protected them and showcased them like I was some kind of "Million Dollar Man."

When I reached early adulthood I focused on being a good preacher. Being a likable youth pastor. A respected student of academic success. I was collecting degrees like a warm summer's day! Planning trips and retreats! Being Mr. Cool with the kids and staying calm, cool, and collected with the parents and those silver-haired ladies from the church. But just like sports, being cool has a shelf life.

I'm older now. And I've sat aside some of those childish pursuits like video games, popularity, and achievements to be applauded by others. Or have I?

Back to the original question; what is the most valuable possession I own? Is it my truck, TV, credit card, gun safe, or recliner? I don't think so. As those students shared that day I kept waiting on my turn. I didn't hesitate. I know it's not worth much but it's invaluable to me. It's a painting. But not just any painting.

Several years ago I went on a trip to Africa. Nearly three weeks on foreign soil away from my family. When I finally arrived back in the US, I was greeted by my family. My son came peering through the crowd and my mom stood at just the right angle to capture a photo of me dropping my bags and embracing my son perhaps like nothing before or since the day he was born. And that moment has become a token, a stake in the ground for me to visualize the real meaning and value of love (Love God's Way).

That picture has since been enhanced into a painting that remains in our bathroom and every time I see it I remember the moments of that trip, that embrace, and that love that has forever been branded on my heart. And should anything happen and I would need to quickly evacuate my home, it would become the one possession (besides family) in my home that I would attempt to rescue.

But forsaking one thing for another isn't cheap or easy. Those possessions symbolize and epitomize the value we have placed on the treasures of our heart. Left to its own devices, our hearts will often default to a place of comfort and convenience as its most valuable treasure.

I asked those students two questions: (1) What lie are you willing to believe to be satisfied? (2) What are you willing to sacrifice to be satisfied?

In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve believed the lie that it would be more satisfying to take the forbidden fruit than to honor the authority and promise of God's word to remain in the garden with Him.

Esau believed selling his birthright to his brother for a bowl of stew would be more satisfying than the promised inheritance for maintaining his legal rite and status as the firstborn of Isaac's children.

These possessions that we claim to own aren't really ours to keep. They're meant for something more. There's a difference in being a consumer and a steward. Consumers believe that what's theirs is theirs and for their own benefit. Stewards realize what they have is on loan and meant to be used for a greater purpose beyond themselves.

Rather than being a collector, be a giver. Rather than clenching to what's yours, cheerfully let it go. Rather than being greedy, choose to be generous. And be grateful!

The Bible says, "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his own soul?" The stuff in this world will never completely satisfy. No person, no possession, no performance. Nothing. What is your soul worth? Is it really worth a few moments of chasing empty allusions that never really amount to much in the end?

"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Friend, we would do well to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and what matters most to Him. He is the only Source that can truly satisfy the longing of our soul.