Forget all your “stuff”

December 22, 2006

By Gary Rogers

The American dream has become a nightmare for the American church. When the pursuit of prosperity and financial security infiltrates the church, financial prosperity gets linked with teaching on strong faith and favor with God. Too often, Christians equate materialistic blessings with spiritual maturity rather than Bible knowledge, holiness, and faithfulness in our commitment to Christ.

But many believers around the world are not so distracted. I think of one woman I read about who fled from her home in Asia. She had been attacked and raped for changing her faith. The decision to convert to Christianity brought persecution to her and her family. Along with her husband and two young daughters, she is living in fear of being discovered as a Christian.

This family is not focused on prosperity, but on simple survival. They and many others live with the daily reality that one’s faith can exact the ultimate price. But their testimony reminds us of where our true focus should be. “We’ve fallen in love with Jesus,” the Asian woman said, “so how could we betray Him?”

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV).

To have this constant, consistent heart of thanksgiving we must be able to direct our thanks toward One who is constant and consistent. Our joy in living is not to be tied to our wonderful living conditions or the possessions we have acquired. Our focus must remain the unfailing goodness of our God.

God is worthy of our thanksgiving regardless of our living conditions. We are thankful for His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation. We are thankful for every step Jesus took toward Calvary. We are thankful for our hope, peace, purpose, fulfillment and meaning in life. And none of these things we are thankful for have anything to do with materialism. God is so good!

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.