I drive a give-to-the-poor-missionary-back-from-Guatemala Ford Escort dredged out of Paleolithic strata. The sun has scorched off paint in places, the lining is falling down onto my kids’ heads.
My son liked this car at the autoshop
So when a Porsche stalled in front of me on Pacific Coast Highway at a stoplight, something inside of me wanted to shout as I roared past: “Get a real car!”
Hmmmmmm. Where did this envy come from? I thought I was free from that.
Sin has a way to lurk in when you least suspect.
When you pray for finances, you need to be on your guard against envy. What is your motivation? To bless others or to bless yourself? To keep up with Jesus or to keep up with the Joneses?
God promises to provide, but many times our idea of provision falls squarely into the realm of “want,” not “need.” It became popular among Christians a number of years ago to call ourselves “children of the King.” The logical conclusion is we want to live it up like princes and princesses. The biggest problem with this reasoning is how Jesus, being much more a Prince than us, lived in poverty: The Son of Man has no place to lay His head (Matt. 8:20).
We can trust God to provide for our needs — and we ought to guard against confusing needs with wants.
Mustard Seed Budget 
Wow, that’s hard to look at!
Great article…
The most princely (good prince anyway) way to live is to raise others up – live as a servant to the people to empower them. Royalty and Chivalry has the obligation to create a culture of supply for the needs of those it has reign among. (disclaimer – I am making this stuff up as I go – there may be no real historical basis for this comment, except how Christ lived as a Prince among us)
thanks – good word!
😀
Yup, goes all the way back to our dear ancestors in the garden… if only I had this I would be happy… Christ bring such a different message that it is hard to wrap our brainwashed minds around: happy are those that mourn, are humble and meek… yikes! but then the inheritance is so much better than a stalled porsche! Thanks for this heart check today!
smiles!
“To keep up with Jesus or to keep up with the Joneses?”
“The biggest problem with this reasoning is how Jesus, being much more a Prince than us, lived in poverty: The Son of Man has no place to lay His head (Matt. 8:20).”
EXCELLENT!!!
😀
Very well said. We tend to equate God’s blessings with materialism. We are so blind that we forget that Christ lived in poverty. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the encouragment!
Good post! I saw a show the other day about people that win the lottery and buy expensive cars, motor homes and huge homes etc. I thought that was so sad when people don’t even know where their next meal is coming from.
😀
It is better to give than receive and our reward is in heaven.
I love your post
It’s all to easy to focuss on what we need and not what we have. Once our needs are met for some reason it’s easy to focuss on what we want. I’m working and striving to be content.
With Gods grace I’m certain I can get there.
Thank you for your post…
alison
Hey Alison, I tried looking for you once and it said your account was deleted. I thought you had dropped off blogging and off the planet… Hahahaha. JK. I have been praying for you. How are you doing?
I am well, had a quiet spell lol… I did take a hiatus from blogging but have returned at last.
Glad to be back and thank you for all your amazing posts.
Hope you and your family have been well
alison
Are you still in Europe? Or are you back on the East Coast? I remember you for sharing with the atheists who attacked.
I am very glad you remembered and hope that possibly through love and truth I assisted the Holy Spirit in reaching those who have not come to see the light.
I am currently still in Scotland and may be here for some time. That said, I do miss Boston and my friends. I have made many good friends here however.
It made me feel good that you recalled me. It’s good to have friends that share faith.
We have a sister church in Aberdeen. Is that anywhere close to where you are? Our Christian high school goes there every other year to visit historic sites. You can visit our website http://www.thelighthousechristianacademy.com/
I edit the news blog on the dropdown menu LCAnews or go straight there http://www.thelighthousechristianacademy.com/lca-news/
Your prayers for our ministry are greatly appreciated!!
I live in a small place near The Rver Spey and am not super close to Aerdeen. Though I have been there and will visit the church sometime. After living in the US all of Scotland feels small and close.
I was saddened when I found you were no longer there.
A really great point. What is our motivation? Even when we’re thinking of “success,” is it for us, or for God? Great post.
THANKS!
Since we have been taught the lesson of being servants from God Himself… how much more can we be than such as this. It is when we are empty God fills us… not with what we may want but what we need. I can live with this for this is where I find the most satisfaction… in the fulness of God. A great posting here.
Russ
1 Timothy 6:6 KJV
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
THANKS!
This should be trumpeted in every church in america, at least!
Hello! I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger award http://18yearsyoung.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/chapter-212-im-a-sweetie-so-are-you/ 😀 xxoo
Wow!
🙂
Society and the media skews our perception of success and/or what’s truly important. Check out this quote I posted on my FB page recently: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=520929111299325&set=a.486012661457637.113474.436010629791174&type=1&theater
beautiful!
🙂
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Details are in my latest post. 🙂
Thanks!
It is a hard lesson for us to learn. It really comes down to this: can we trust him . . . do we trust him? I very much appreciate the post. Many thanks!
When I was in poverty-stricken Guatemala, it was easy to be selfless. Since returning to hyper materialistic Santa Monica, I keep catching materialism creeping into my heart. My fear is that it will slowly overtake my heart.
Oh my, what a great reminder.
😀
Congratulations, my very first car was a Ford Escort and it was a wonderful little car. It is a myth that Yahshua lived in poverty. Yes, He chose not to have a house. But He had a seamless coat when He died, which was a very expensive item in those days. That’s why the soldiers played dice for it. Whether others supported Him or He had means from His former carpentry business, He was well provided for. Whenever I start moaning about how little money I have, I always remember I am the daughter of a King and I stop worrying about it. The secret is to be disciplined. Maybe live on the street for a while! You’d be surprised how little we actually do need.
Yes amen!
The pictures in your post remind me of things I write about, and feel in my heart. Some years ago and I can’t find right at the moment is organic farming going to places like in the picture on the left helping them farm rather then just supplying food to eat. But what happens when they become commercialized is like the picture on the right. It starts in our heart with Christ by our side. I am sorry I don’t see that you envyed the porsche, however I believe Jesus would have stopped to help the porsche. You spoke the truth you did not envy the porsche at least in my sight.
I guess I was in a hurry…
Also, I don’t know any thing about mechanics…
It would have been useless for me to stop and help the Porsche. Thanks for the comment!
Its really the thought that matters anyway. Yes I too am to blame, at times I too am in a rush and don’t stop, so I really should have said nothing, I appoligize. But since I did let me add it could be someone needing something more than a mechanic.
It’s all good. No need to apologize.
I am well aware that I have a looooooooong wat to go to be like Jesus. 😀
🙂 me TOOOOOO
Pictures like those of the starving little ones give my heart such a wrench! I do what I can, but knowing there are so many out there who suffer while I have more than I need–well, thanks for the reminder.
😀
True, this envy & this unnecessary want is so difficult to get away from! thanks to the wicked media, every day i realize that i need to try better to be on guard against it 🙂
I’ll pray for you. You for me!
sure 🙂