WHEN CHASING STUFF TAKES YOU AWAY FROM YOUR PURPOSE
In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus tells us not to make 'earthly security' our top priority. The advice is valid for both rich people, middle class people and poor people.
Though the food, the housing, and the clothes are important matters, Jesus tells us not to turn them into our top priority. Jesus said: “ Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all those things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Since Jesus said that those things (the food, the clothes, the shelter, the security) shall be added, it also implies that He knows that those things are relevant. However, Jesus wants us to elevate our lives on matters that are more important than earthly security.
By referring to the ‘Kingdom of God and His Righteousness’, Jesus was alluding to a place where God reigns and where His will is supreme. Even if we are living on Earth, we still have to seek that place where God reigns and where His will is supreme.
Once you find yourself in the Kingdom of God, you will have to abide by the rules of the Kingdom which are sourced from God’s will.
God’s will represents your purpose. When you enter the Kingdom and once you submit to the lifestyle of the Kingdom (which is founded on God’s will), you will also live the purpose that God has for you.
Living a life of purpose is more rewarding than chasing earthly security.
When I was younger, I really wanted to live my God-given purpose. I had envisioned that one day, in my later life, I would be able to state that I lived for things greater than paying bills and chasing material things.
Without living the will of God, the pursuit of material never ends. Technology and human innovation keep being developed, thus causing people to seek new things all the time. However, things will never fill the gap caused by a purposeless life.
As a matter of fact, the more things people own, the more likely those things will keep them away from what really matters.
If someone buys 50 luxury cars, he will have to also think about insuring them, and securing them with professional security services, then he will have to set a maintenance budget to keep those cars in good condition. In the worst case scenario, that person may lose sleep over his possession. In short, many of his resources that could have been used to live his purpose, will be diverted on material stuff.
Having or owning stuff is not a bad thing. However, it becomes concerning when those things take priority over our life purpose or over the will of God.
There are married couples who can’t talk to each other because the husband bought so much stuff and he now needs to work overtime to maintain and pay off his possessions.
Matthew 6:33 is valid for both rich, middle class and poor people.
In brief, owning stuff is not a bad thing. However, don’t overfill your timetable with stuff to the point where you would even lack the time and space to dedicate yourself to the things that truly matter.
Before chasing that job, that business deal, that mansion, that car, that policy…ask yourself the question: ‘will it take away resources needed to focus on my life purpose?’
If the answer is ‘yes’, then I recommend that you choose your God-given purpose first.
Though the food, the housing, and the clothes are important matters, Jesus tells us not to turn them into our top priority. Jesus said: “ Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all those things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Since Jesus said that those things (the food, the clothes, the shelter, the security) shall be added, it also implies that He knows that those things are relevant. However, Jesus wants us to elevate our lives on matters that are more important than earthly security.
By referring to the ‘Kingdom of God and His Righteousness’, Jesus was alluding to a place where God reigns and where His will is supreme. Even if we are living on Earth, we still have to seek that place where God reigns and where His will is supreme.
Once you find yourself in the Kingdom of God, you will have to abide by the rules of the Kingdom which are sourced from God’s will.
God’s will represents your purpose. When you enter the Kingdom and once you submit to the lifestyle of the Kingdom (which is founded on God’s will), you will also live the purpose that God has for you.
Living a life of purpose is more rewarding than chasing earthly security.
When I was younger, I really wanted to live my God-given purpose. I had envisioned that one day, in my later life, I would be able to state that I lived for things greater than paying bills and chasing material things.
Without living the will of God, the pursuit of material never ends. Technology and human innovation keep being developed, thus causing people to seek new things all the time. However, things will never fill the gap caused by a purposeless life.
As a matter of fact, the more things people own, the more likely those things will keep them away from what really matters.
If someone buys 50 luxury cars, he will have to also think about insuring them, and securing them with professional security services, then he will have to set a maintenance budget to keep those cars in good condition. In the worst case scenario, that person may lose sleep over his possession. In short, many of his resources that could have been used to live his purpose, will be diverted on material stuff.
Having or owning stuff is not a bad thing. However, it becomes concerning when those things take priority over our life purpose or over the will of God.
There are married couples who can’t talk to each other because the husband bought so much stuff and he now needs to work overtime to maintain and pay off his possessions.
Matthew 6:33 is valid for both rich, middle class and poor people.
In brief, owning stuff is not a bad thing. However, don’t overfill your timetable with stuff to the point where you would even lack the time and space to dedicate yourself to the things that truly matter.
Before chasing that job, that business deal, that mansion, that car, that policy…ask yourself the question: ‘will it take away resources needed to focus on my life purpose?’
If the answer is ‘yes’, then I recommend that you choose your God-given purpose first.