May Newsletter
God Loves YOU SO Much—That’s Why He Gave You And I The 10 Commandments!
Family, everything God tells us to do, or tells us not to do; is for our good, protection, provision and blessing. The 10 Commandments are God guiding us into what’s best for our life. They, guide us into a right relationship with God. They’re foundational for our faith and relationship with Him and others. Will you choose to trust Jesus and allow Him to bless you, protect you, and provide you with the best life and eternal life? Family, that kind of trust only becomes real—when we act on His Commands—By obeying them.
Exodus 20:17, “You must not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (NLT)
Well, that can be hard, right?! This is a nation where we’re used to coveting things. What Does Covet mean? It’s the uncontrolled desire to acquire. Many of us look at others and forget the blessings we have. Coveting hurts us, our family, our life and our walk with God. It can destroy our lives, our marriages, our families and our purity. Here’s some of the effects of wanting more.
The Effects Of Always Wanting More (Coveting)
- Fatigue.
Proverbs 23:4, “Do not wear yourself out to be rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.”
It’s dumb to wear yourself out, just trying to get more.
- Debt.
Ecclesiastes 5:11 “The more money you have, the more money you spend…” (LB)
See, it always costs more, to have more. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill’s higher too.
- Worry.
Ecclesiastes 5:12, “A working man…can get a good night’s sleep. But the rich man has so much that he stays awake worrying.” (GN)
I read a study that said insomnia increases with income.
- Conflict.
James 4:1, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the desires that battle within you?”
Wanting more causes conflict in so many areas of our life.
- Dissatisfaction.
Ecclesiastes 5:10, “You will never be satisfied if you long to be rich. You will never get all you want.” (GN) (LB) “It’s foolish to think wealth brings happiness!”
Things do not bring lasting happiness. It’s a temporary thrill. And coveting is the number one reason for dissatisfaction in our world.
How Do I Beat Coveting?—The Antidote To Coveting Is Contentment.
Philippians 4:12, (Paul) “I have learned the secret of being content…whether living in plenty or in want.”
One of the ways you learn contentment is by realizing the effect of always wanting more. Those five things we just talked about: Fatigue, Debt, Worry, Conflict & Dissatisfaction.
Your net worth has absolutely no relationship to your self-worth. You can be a millionaire and be a jerk or be poor and wonderful. Don’t compare net worth to self-worth.
Ok, So How Do I Learn Contentment?
- Resist Comparing Myself To Others.
2 Corinthians 10:12, “We do not dare classify or compare ourselves…It is not wise.”
1 Timothy 6:9, “When we long to be rich we are a prey to temptation; we get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin…” (JB)
People will sacrifice relationships and so much more to get more. Learn to admire, without having to acquire. Resist comparing yourself to others.
- Rejoice In What I Do Have.
Ecclesiastes 5:19, “If God gives a person wealth and property they should be grateful and enjoy what they have. It is a gift from God.”
Remember, you wouldn’t have anything, if it weren’t for God. It’s all of God. So many of us have ‘When and Then’ Thinking which says, “When I get _____________, then I’ll be happy.”
Happiness is not getting whatever you want. Happiness is enjoying whatever you have. The fact is God wants you to enjoy what you’ve got.
2 Timothy 6:17, “God has richly provided us with everything for our enjoyment.” Proverbs 15:27, “A greedy man brings trouble to his family.”
There are two ways to have enough in life: get more or want less.
- Release What I Have To Build The Church And Help Others.
Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Building of My Church and a right relationship with Me.”
Malachi 3:8-10, “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you God?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for you’ve been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into My house (Local Church)…If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies…“I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
I Timothy 6:17-19, “Tell those who are rich, not to be proud and not to trust in their money which will soon be gone. Tell them to use their money to do good to give happily to those in need, always with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven — it is the only safe investment for eternity.”
So how can I be wealthy and not materialistic? As long as you follow the four precautions in this verse, you can be as wealthy as you want!
So That Begs the Question: “How Can I Be Wealthy And Not Materialistic?”
- Don’t become proud of your wealth.
- Don’t put your trust in money.
- Use your money to do good.
- Give cheerfully.
Maybe we should ask the question: Are you giving to build God’s church and help others? Are you tithing to the local church?—Tithing is giving 10% of your income. That’s God’s plan for every believer.
Acts 20:35, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”
So how do we learn to be Content?
First, I Resist Comparing Myself to others. Second, I rejoice in what I have. Third, I release what I have to build God’s church and to help others.
- I Refocus On What’s Going To Last.
1 Corinthians 4:18, “We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”
If you leave too much of it to your kids, it will probably ruin them. So why are you beating yourself in the head to get more and more and more. There is more to life than things!
Luke 12:15 “A person’s true life is not made up of the things they own, no matter how rich they may be.”
I think we need to do a periodic checkup and ask the tough question that says:
“What am I really living for? Is the primary goal of my life just to get more?”
Remember, God Made you to love you, to have a relationship with you.
Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you…with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” (NLT)
Because God wants His house in Heaven full of people. Along with loving you, God created you for a higher purpose, to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives, to build His church!
Matthew 6:33, “Seek First The Building Of God’s Church And A Right Relationship With Jesus, And He will Give You All You Need.”
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
What are you living for?
Living my life for Christ helps me not to covet! Mark 8:36, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
We Love You All!
PD And Julie