Worshipping the Stockpile
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. This holiday has a way of turning gratitude into an inventory of what we have stockpiled. We start by thanking God for what we have, but then somewhere between the turkey and the nap on the couch, we start thinking ahead. We make a mental list of what we still need for the winter months right around the corner.
- Is there enough meat in the freezer?
- Enough wood stacked in the shed?
- Enough in the savings account for the heating bills?
- Enough left over for Christmas shopping…because that’s not far off!
Preparing is wise, and stockpiles of supplies are good gifts from God. Left unchecked, the same instinct opens the door to the idol of possessions.
A Longstanding Human Problem
God called Moses to speak to a second generation before entering the Promised Land. Their parents had died in the wilderness after refusing to trust God at the border. (Numbers 14) These folks were about to receive everything their parents had only dreamed about. But first, God gave them this warning:
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
The heart of human beings haven’t changed much. Idolatry begins as a whisper in the heart, and our hearts love to take the credit. The verb in verse 18 is “remember,” and it asks our minds to fact-check our feelings. Every possession was (and is) God’s provision, including the strength and ability we used to earn it. Provision turns into possession the moment we say “it’s mine.”
Old Testament professor Duane Garrett wrote:
“We forget that God gave us those abilities as well as life itself. We are not self-created. The illusion of self-sufficiency makes us hard-hearted.” (Duane Garrett, “The Dangers of Prosperity (Deut. 8:11-20),” Theology of Work Bible Commentary)
How the Idol of Possessions Shows Up
The Enemy always twists good gifts from God. And he often distorts within three key areas of our lives: Identity, security and our sense of belonging. Within the misplaced worship of possessions, here’s how that might look in each area.
Identity: We introduce ourselves by what we own. We skip a family dinner to detail a vehicle.
Security: The closet fills, then the attic, then the garage, then a storage unit. We keep adding locks and cameras to protect what we own.
Belonging: We measure ourselves against the new truck across the street. Lending a tool feels like a loss, and hosting feels risky.
What Jesus Says About Our Stuff
Someone in a crowd asked Jesus to make his brother split an inheritance. Jesus refused to referee and used the moment to teach:
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
In his letter to his apprentice Timothy, the Apostle Paul gives us a picture of how to hold God’s gifts. He points us to hope in God, enjoyment of what God provides, and generosity that shares. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Try These Strategies This Week
- Pick one possession and thank God out loud for providing it.
- Enjoy something God gave you with people at your table.
- Share something you’d normally guard.
The greatest gift in our lives is Jesus, and we never earned that one either.
Join the Conversation; Answer This Question
- What is one thing you’ve been calling “mine” that God actually provided?
