The older I get the more I see that things of this world do not last. Soon everything will either rust, rot or decay.
In America, advertisements give an allure of products that will change our lives. New houses, new cars, electronic gadgets, and many other items that are supposed to make our lives better and happier. We see other people that look so happy with their toys. And we must have one. Within a few months the “newness” has worn off. Within five years or less they are “outdated”. We know this but somehow forget. We pursue the chase and keep purchasing the material prize. But we are never truly satisfied.
Treasures on Earth
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures 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 be also.”
Think of all the items that you have purchased over the years. Later, they were likely sold in a yard sale for pennies on the dollar or given away to the thrift store. Or, they could be sitting in your attic, storage building or back yard decaying from sun, moisture, and heat. What was the intent when the purchase was made?
Think of all the money that was spent and continues to be spent on consumption. What could we have done with all that money? True joy is found in giving not consuming more stuff.
What is so interesting is that we seldom learn and continue the search for happiness in other things, things of this world.
I see older people, the age group that has more money to spend, continue this search by buying, typically, more expensive toys. A great example of this is the 1952 Chevrolet pictured above. One can restore this, but all you have is an earthly treasure to look at. It is not useful to get you from point A to point B. The gas mileage is terrible. And it is not comfortable. My dad purchased this as a treasure to keep, which reminded him of his first car. Now it is rusted and worthless. To me it is a reminder of how short-lived things of this earth are and how they really don’t matter.
Follow the Money Trail
In Matthew 6:21 mentioned above, Jesus tells us that what we put our money in is where our heart is. Follow the money trail to see what is important to us. If our attention is on earthly things, then it cannot be on Him. Also, in Matthew 6 verse 24 Jesus also said, “No one can serve two masters……….You cannot serve both God and Money.”
The author of Ecclesiastes, likely King Solomon, who had everything money could buy, points out that these things bring no real pleasure, satisfaction, or true life. The pursuit of things will only leave us empty.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 –
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.”
Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist of his possessions.” However, our culture puts a false identity on us based on the type of house we live in, the car we drive and the clothes we wear.
Filling a Void
So many get caught up in gaining material things for various reasons. Ultimately, when we do this, we are filling a void that only Christ can fill. We put so much time, energy, and resources toward this while we are putting up barriers between us and resting in the love of Christ. This is where true joy is found.
We are also taking precious time away from our family, which is often the ones we are trying please. We work longer hours to pay for stuff and it takes more of our time to maintain.
Stop the pursuit of happiness in things of this world! Rust and rot will turn them to dust.
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