Do you own your material possessions, or do your material processions own you?

Question

It does'nt effect me if you don't tell the truth on here.
I want you to think about it. Really think about it, in this ever changing world of keeping up with the Jones'.

In Mathew 19:16-23 When Jesus was speaking to the rich man who wanted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
He told Him to go give his goods to the poor and then come come back.
The man went away sad.
....these worldly items that only moths and rust destroy!

Answer if you would, but most of all know in your heart what is.

I honestly can't pick the best answer!
From a brilliant longest answer from Smokersmax, to the shortest and perhaps? best, from James W to Anna's thought provoking one,
And of course Ross, Yes I think I have my girls (cat and dog) under control, but we all really know who are controling their Master(?) *smile*
Manipulative darlings!

Answer 1

Yeh I totally Understand where your going with this question but wait, ok I just checked with my toaster and he said it was ok to reply.

Answer 2

Great question!! After I became a Christian, I realized I had to relinquish all attachments to material possessions:

Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.

It was tough. I thought through all of my possessions (and I really didn't have many, compared to most people I know), and realized they were all worthless. Would I be able to give these things up if necessary to follow Christ? I also realized that all the things you hold dear can be taken away in the blink of an eye (see Job).

The hardest part for me was that I had just purchased my first house and felt at home for the first time in my life. It was built in 1948, and had all the charm I was looking for in a house and I admired every inch of it. The house DID own me, and I would spend a lot of time decorating it and making years worth of plans to remodel and add to the value of the house. Things started breaking and had to be fixed, and I noticed a lot of flaws in it (that many old houses have) so I knew I had to detach from it. It's still difficult, I admit.

Now the only "possessions" that I truly value are my pets, especially my dog. My husband and I adore her, and we don't see her as a possession but a wonderful gift from God, a faithful living companion that gives us much joy and comfort. I look at her and realize that one day she will be gone, and it is painful to think of it.

Answer 3

This is a GREAT question that instantly reminded me of a thought that I had last year while taking a Real Estate course.... who exactly bought their land from GOD? Seriously.... um, it's God's land!!! HE MADE IT!!!

Did anyone give Him a fair market value for the land we have now built upon and are in the process of messing up? The whole philosophy of that struck me hard at that time and I will never forget that.

In reality though, if you love your money and material things more than people and God, than you have nothing because you can't take them with you. All the money in the world can't buy God or His love, but yet we buy and sell His property as if it were our own to sell!!!

Answer 4

That is exactly what made Lots' wife lose her life...she longed for the things behind. When she disobeyed God and turned around she was turned into a pillar of salt.

The "love" of money is the root of all kinds of evil . And reaching out for this "love" many have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.
How many of us say we want something knowing full well we don't need it. Another pair of shoes, a new car, a new home, a trip. Someone has to put in long hours to make that money.
God says to be content with what you have. He wants you to dedicate your lives to him and stop treasuring up things on this earth where moths can ruin it or it rusts away or where thieves can steal it. Better it is to serve God with a pure heart and he will reward you with everlasting life in paradise.

Answer 5

A terrific question, and something we all should think about from time to time.

Looking at how much of my paycheck goes toward things that go beyond mere food and shelter--like DSL, satellite TV, cell phones, CDs and DVDs--I'd have to say that my material possessions own me. That doesn't mean that I regret the enjoyment of these things--we SHOULD enjoy life,--but they're not essential, and sometimes I think our desire to own everything that pleases our eyes and ears can get out of hand.

Answer 6

I see material possessions as a means of use. I don't seek the best of everything or crave the most expensive - for these things don't matter. Everything I have comes from the hand of God, for it is He who supplies. It is how I live my life before God which counts, and how I am a good steward of everything He has bestowed on me.

Answer 7

One of the best questions for Christians to ask themselves that I have encountered on yahoo!
I do not attach too much importance to material things. They are nice to have, but if I do not have them I won't feel deprived! The most cherished material thing I have would be my grandmother's ring that she left me, only because it is all I have left to remind me of my beloved grandmother. She is the one who really taught me the value of giving. She lived in a poor neighborhood and would cook meals and invite children who did not have many hot meals in the home. I remember rounding up about 12 kids at a time to feed. She would make sure they had clean hands and feed them like kings! She was a chef when she came to this country, and really knew how to cook! It is not the monetary value of the ring that concerns me, but the fact that it has been in my family a long time! It belonged to my much loved grandma! I am reminded of her every time I look at it because she always wore it and wanted me to have it. Even the ring from my beloved grandma can be replaced, people cannot!

God is number one in my life, then comes husband and children, and mother, and brothers and sisters, and nephews. Then come my beloved pets who are very important to me! I love animals and we consider them members of our family.

I do not give a flip about keeping up with the Jones! I am happy with my old used car as long as it runs ! As long as I have a roof over my head and things are clean, I am happy. I had to raise my three sons on my own and when everyone else was getting designer jeans my kids had to settle for Wal Mart! They never complained, so I guess they do not worry too much about material things either.When all their friends were getting their first cars, my kids had to wait till I could save money to purchase old used ones for them and they helped work to pay them off too! They never felt sorry for themselves because we just never felt like we lacked anything. We were just happy to be a family and all together! The Lord has not left us hungry or without shelter or food or anything that we really needed.....ever! He is my provider! What is really funny is the more I taught my children to give to others, the more the Lord blessed us with! It has always been this way! Now that I am remarried, money is not so tight. Material things are still not that important.My husband is always looking for ways he can bless others with what he earns! He is such a sweety! Money is only important in terms of what it can provide for the people around me!

This is a wonderful question and helped me evaluate the order in which I place material things! I have realized it does not take a lot to be happy! It also makes me appreciate how much the Lord has blessed me! Looking back in retrospect, the Lord has provided all through my life and continues to! Why worry about it? I am not rolling in money, but I am very happy with what I have! I think I have a lot even though I do not own a lot of material things! God bless you !

Answer 8

I learned the hard way that when my wife died she had accumulated too much stuff. Two years later I am still divesting myself of unnecessary possessions. I will of course always plan on keeping a few cherished things, but will keep it simple and manageable.

Answer 9

I own my material possessions, I realize that this stuff is of no value compared to God. It can't save me nor keep me from evil. So I set my affections on God and not material things that depreciates in value and can't help me in the time of need.

Answer 10

The bank owns most of my material possessions, but I own my beliefs and my heart.

Answer 11

Oh, how I wish I was owned by a Mercedes 500SL and a Bertram Yacht.