Our love of THINGS
During the month of February, Monday Meditations has been looking at how we, as Corpath members, are called show love to different people and in different ways.
During the series we discussed that LOVE comes from God, and, as a child of God, we are called to love everyone, including ourselves and our enemies.
This week will be the final in the series as we explore our love for THINGS.
Love is a funny word that isn't fully defined in the English language. For instance, we use the word interchangeably to convey several messages.
When I say that I love my wife and children, the word "love" conveys an intimacy and deep connection that I have with (and for) them. It expresses feelings of devotion and unconditional commitment.
I also love pizza. However, in this case the word "love" means something quite different. It is used to explain my "deep like" of the food as a preferred choice that brings me comfort. Unlike the example with my wife and children, I'm not devoted or committed unconditionally to pizza. That would be weird.
Love...The same word, but completely different meanings.
Q: What are some of the things you currently own that you would classify as "loving"?
I think you might be the same in this regard. There are likely some things that you possess that you are very fond of. A house, car, pet, vacation property, job, business, money, etc might make your list of "love things". If we aren't careful, our sense of priority and value can become skewed as we might unintentionally place a higher value on these inanimate things and a lesser value on the people closest to us.
As an example, if I had planned a motorcycle trip on the weekend (which I would truly love) but it was pre-empted by my daughter being sick, my response would likely convey exactly where my love lies. If I become upset for not being able to make the trip, my daughter would likely assess that I would love my motorcycle more than her. However, if I willingly sacrifice my weekend in order to care for her my actions would convey my love for her over the motorcycle.
Sometimes, our pursuit and acquisition of things can be our way of promoting our "success score" to those around us. The bigger house. The fourth car. The biggest parties. Multiple season tickets. These things act as counterfeit currencies that artificially validate our quality as humans.
Even in Christian circles we give preference and deference to those that have the most, biggest, and are the richest as we silently ascribe to the ideology that "whoever has the most in life is winning".
We look at earthly treasures and valuable possessions as affirmation of God's blessing and often refer to ourselves in that manner when we consider all the things we have.
The bible has much to say on this topic. Here are just a few verses to consider:
Regarding our desire to acquire more:
Luke 12:15 - And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Regarding the love of money:
1 Timothy 6:9-10 - But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Regarding the love of worldly possessions:
1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Our "love for things" becomes apparent by how much time, effort, and finance we willingly dedicate to maintaining them. And it truly becomes problematic when our attachment and commitment to them takes priority over the people in our lives. We all likely know people who like to "love things and use people", rather than loving people and using things.
The bible clearly calls us to "use things to love people". In so doing, we prove that God's love abides in us.
For instance, 1 John 3:17 says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
Love is a tough command for us to adhere to sometimes.
When someone wrongs us, we are to show LOVE.
When someone requires something from us, we are to show LOVE.
When we aren't enjoying the relationship, we are to show LOVE.
Love is meant for people, not things.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
But how can we lay up treasures in heaven? We cannot order "things" from Amazon and have them shipped to our heavenly address to be ready for whenever we get there. Treasures are built by showing God's love to the people of the world we live in.
My Prayer:
God, thank you for the LOVE you continually give to me. I am not worthy yet you continually show me how much you care for me. I confess I have sometimes let my love of things get in the way of loving people. Please forgive me for that. I ask that you would help me to live generously and use things to love others. May I willingly refrain from holding tightly on to those things that have no heavenly value. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
