The Christian Financial Alliance was created to help readers.  The idea is simple: Create a panel of biblical finance gurus, who take seriously the call to teach the Bible accurately with grace and truth.  Once a month, we post a question with responses from our panel to provide you with well-rounded, sound, biblical advice.  For more information, or to join our team, go to Christian Financial Alliance.

What is one thing a Christian should keep in mind while thinking about/planning for retirement?

 To me, the questions isn’t what we should remember to plan for during retirement, it is ‘Is retirement a Biblical concept?’.  If we are going to truly walk in the calling that God has given us, that will never stop.  If we are in a J.O.B. that we are counting down the days to retirement from, then we are in the wrong place.  Our calling should radiate out of every part of us, it should be what drives us and ultimately, if we are living in our callings, I think it will provide for us financially.  If we are doing what we love and doing what God has called us to, why would we ever stop?

I am actually glad that this question was asked.  Many times I think as Christians, we get so caught up in the worlds systems.  Systems of politics, education, health care, entertainment, and especially – financially.  Retirement is somewhat of a new phenomena, starting just after the end of the industrial revolution as manufacturing companies began to include pensions for their workers.

I strongly believe that people are put on the earth for a purpose.  If you can find that purpose and pour yourself into it with everything you have, I believe you will live a fulfilling and prosperous life.  I also believe that once we stop living a purposeful life, our quality of life will deteriorate.  Lets look at 3 examples.

Bear Bryant

Was the longtime Alabama University football coach.  He lived from September 11, 1913 – January 26, 1983.  The Hall of Fame coach was on the sidelines for the last time during his teams bowl game.  After the game he retired and was quoted as saying he would ‘probably croak within a week’ when asked what he would do during retirement.  Four weeks later he passed a routine health check-up and the next day he went back to the doctor complaining of check pains.  He died the next day.  He had coached for 46 years.

Andy Rooney

The long time 60 Minutes contributor.  He lived from January 14, 1919 – November 4, 2011.  The legendary 60 Minutes commentator worked on the 60 Minutes team for 33 years.  Less than 5 weeks from airing his last broadcast, Andy Rooney died from complications of an unknown surgery.

Joe Paterno

The longtime Penn State football coach recently died after loosing his battle with cancer.  He lived from December 21, 1926 – January 22, 2012.  Paterno had coached at Penn State for 61 years.  In November Paterno revealed that he had a very treatable form of lung Cancer, as a matter of fact he was suppose to make a complete recovery, later it was revealed that his cancer was in remission. After announcing in November he would step down as the football coach at the end of the year, the school fired Paterno immediately, stating that he would not be finishing the season as coach, due to a recent scandal that he had become associated with.  Three months later Paterno was hospitalized due to complications from his cancer and 9 days later he died.  Paterno recognized what happened to Bear Bryant could happen to him if he ever stepped away from football.  This is from an interviewer:

First, Patrick played a replay of an interview he had in 2008 with Brent Musburger, who talked about Paterno not wanting to be like Bear Bryant.

“Joe is fearful he will not be with us if he stepped away,” Musburger said in 2008. “He’s a man who doesn’t fish, doesn’t play golf, and has no other interests than his family and football. He’s just afraid what would happen to the rest of his life if he walked away from it. He and I have talked extensively about it.”

Whats the point?  We are here for a purpose, we are here to fulfill a role on the earth.  When we walk in our callings and are fulfilling our purpose we will be successful and we will flourish in that area.  Once our job on this earth is finished (ie Jesus on the cross, ‘It is finished’ John 19:30) then it’s time for us to move on to the next stage of life.  I don’t look at retirement as the ‘golden years’.  Our life is to be humbly submitted to Christ, it is no longer our lives.  To set aside our time and our money to relax and rest after a life of hard work, is not what I think Christ is calling us to,  I believe that Christ is calling us to a rich and fulfilling life that is filled with adventure and fulfillment up until that last day.  I think our entire life is to be filled with purpose and kingdom building work until the day we die.

What should Christians Keep in Mind While Planning for Retirement?  Don’t plan on retirement.

Related posts:

1. CFA July Question: Defining Biblical Generosity

The Christian Financial Alliance was created to help readers.  The idea is simple: Create a panel of biblical finance gurus, who take seriously the call to teach the Bible accurately with grace and truth.  Once a month, we post a question with responses from our panel to provide you with well-rounded, sound, biblical advice.  For more information, or to join our team, go to Christian Financial Alliance.

How do you define Biblical generosity?

I think there are many personal, views on what is or is not generous.  One example is to bring up the idea of what we should tip a restaurant server.  Your views will be all over the map.  How much is right, is more than 10% too much, should you tip generously or based on some criteria, etc.  The questions that always seems left un-answered is, 'What is the motivation of your heart?  We can not truly be generous if the motivation of our heart isn't based on love.  1 Corinthians 13:1 says that we can essentially do any good work possible, but it's worthless if we don't have love.

To me, there is one very straightforward answer that we can find in scripture.  The passage can be found in Luke 10:25-37, everyone knows the parable of the Good Samaritan.  It's the story of a Samaritan (who was hated by the Jews), stopping alongside the road, and helping and providing for a Jew, someone that socially despised him.  This is the present day equivalent of a well known political nemesis, the star player on the team that just beat your team, or someone from a different religion as you.  And what Jesus is asking you to do is this, stop what your doing, help them out, and provide for their needs.  There is only one way that we are able to meet the scriptural example of being generous.  We must love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), and we must be willing to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Being generous is an attitude of our heart, it's based out of love, and comes from within.  The Biblical example of being generous is seeing a need and doing what you can to meet that need.  Does someone you know have an outstanding bill that needs paid?  Do you see people who can't afford new clothes?  Is there someone who has faced with fixing something that recently broke.  In these examples, can we pay their bill, take them shopping, or help fix or replace what is broken?  If our life, not just our answer is yes, then I think we are living a Biblically generous lifestyle.

I don't think we can live a Biblically generous lifestyle as long as we have the mindset that we own things.  Everything of ours must be surrendered to the Lord.  We can't have the mindset that  we have a job, we go to work, and we earn a living, so what we earn is our own.  We must live in such a way as to recognize that everything in the earth is the Lords (Psalms 24:1).

Throughout scripture there are many names attributed to the Lord.  Each of these names reveal something specific about the Lord.  One of the names revealed in scripture, is the name Jehovah-Jireh, which literally translates 'The Lord will provide'.  If we recognize that the Lord is our provider, everything we have is because of Him and from Him, and that we don't own anything ourselves, I believe we will be much more likely to give of ourselves and our possessions. In the end, I think that Biblical Generosity is an attitude.  It comes from two places, it comes from an understanding that what we have doesn't belong to us, and it comes from loving others as ourselves.  Here is a short, challenging video on generous giving by Francis Chan.

You can watch several more video's on Generous Giving.

Related posts:

1. Christian Financial Alliance Core Beliefs

Recently, DiscipleshipGuy joined the Christian Financial Alliance.  This alliance is focused on  defining a set of core beliefs regarding biblical finance and holding ourselves accountable to it.  The great part about this is simple:  There are many bloggers in the blog-o-sper who claim to base their financial principals on sound Christian advice / doctrine.  However, how can we know what they are basing their beliefs on?  The Christian Financial Alliance gives us a guideline on 20 Core Beliefs that we can keep bloggers accountable to (all who join the alliance that is).

I was just thinking about this issue of how can we know if someone is really offering sound, Christian, Biblical, financial advice, when I found this alliance.  Rob Kuban is the founder of the Christian Financial Alliance, and one of the things I have really appreciated about these Core Beliefs is the overall balance in these Beliefs.  Here are the 20 Core Beliefs of the Christian Financial Alliance:

1. I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). My heart, soul, mind, and strength seek to glorify God through the pursuit of Christ, and it is my hope that my life and financial management will reflect this fundamental purpose (Luke 10:27).
2. I believe the Bible is the supreme authority and source of truth and instruction for Christians; therefore, I seek to root my financial teaching in the truth of God’s word (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
3. I believe stewardship does not equal salvation (Acts 8:20). We are saved by grace alone through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). No financial action can save a soul (Matt 16:24-26).
4. I believe God owns everything (Ps. 89:11) and I am merely a steward of His resources for His purposes (Luke 12:42).
5. I believe the heart is the focus of the New Testament’s instruction regarding money (2 Cor. 9:7). This does not make obedience contingent upon our feelings, but calls our attention to focus on the intentions of our heart (Prov. 21:2).
6. I strive to be rich towards God (Luke 12:21) and not place my hope or trust in riches (Rev. 3:17-19).
7. I seek to serve God as my master, not money (Matt. 6:24).
8. I believe how we spend our money reveals what our heart treasures; therefore, if God’s kingdom has its rightful place in our hearts, it should show up in our budget (Matt. 6:21).
9. I believe prosperity is not the purpose of Christianity (John 6:29). It is a gift that God may or may not choose to give (1 Sam. 2:7), and should be handled with generosity and humility recognizing that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
10. I believe Christians are called to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11) because God has given us everything we need in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3).
11. I believe we are called to be wise stewards of resources (Luke 12:42) but not consumed with a love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).
12. I believe stewardship, generosity, and contentment are fruits of a deeper walk with Christ, not ends in themselves (1 John 5:21). I seek first His kingdom and wait for the rest to be added (Matt. 6:33).
13. I believe the Bible does not speak highly of the bondage caused by debt (Prov. 22:7); therefore, it should-if nothing else-be approached with extreme caution (Prov. 22:26-27).
14. I believe Christians are called to be generous (Acts 20:35) to their family (1 Tim. 5:8), God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 9:14), and those in need (1 John 3:17). After these things, we are free to spend money on ourselves (Prov. 10:22).
15. I believe heavenly reward awaits those who choose to invest in God’s kingdom (Luke 12:33), and whether or not God chooses to bestow earthly reward is up to Him (Job 1:21).
16. I believe integrity is more important than financial gain (Prov. 10:2).
17. I believe money can be a blessing and a curse depending on the heart of its holder (Luke 6:44-45).
18. I believe that the way we handle our money should be a testimony of our devotion to God not a distraction from Him (Col. 3:17).
19. I believe there are many things in life that are more important than money (Prov. 23:4-5).
20. I believe true riches are found in Christ alone (Eph. 3:8).

Source: DollarsandDoctrine.com

Related posts:

1. CFA July Question: Defining Biblical Generosity

I have been a member of eBay since January of 2003, I signed up in order to sell some bobble head dolls I had received as part of a promotion at a football game.  My initial thoughts were that if I sold the bobble head dolls for enough, then I might be able to pay for my tickets to the game.  I was able to sell the two my wife and I received, along with another bobble head that someone left behind.   After paying all the fees, shipping, and tickets to the game, we had a profit after selling only two of the three bobble head dolls.

Selling on eBay can seem like a daunting task to some, but for the most part it's pretty simple, and there isn't a wrong way to do it (unless you lose money), and the main thing is to have fun.  There are several things you have to do before you start selling on eBay.  Here are your first steps to selling on eBay:

Getting Started Selling on eBay:

1. First things first, you must sign up for an eBay account.  You can register for a FREE eBay account by simply following the steps and creating a user-name.  This account allows you to buy and sell your products on eBay.
2. You must determine how you are going to take payments. There are several payment options that eBay allows, you can choose several different options, however, PayPal is considered the safest and easiest method to send and receive money on eBay.  PayPal can do a lot more than just sending and receiving payments however, we will get to that in a minute.  First you should go ahead and register for a FREE PayPal account.  There are three different account types, Personal, Premiere, and Business.  If you are just signing up as an individual who wants to buy and sell, you will want to sign up for a Premiere account. Once you have registered your going to want to take a minute to get PayPal Verified.
3. Next you will need to know how you are going to ship your products. There are three main companies to use for shipping.  You could use the United States Post Office (or USPS for short), United Parcel Service (or UPS for short), or FedEx.  I would recommend getting familiar with their shipping and handling rates.  Each company has it's own positives and negatives.  The more you know about each company the more money you could potentially save.  Once you get into a regular habit of shipping items you will probably figure out which method is best for you.  I personally use USPS most of the time, for my products, Priority Mail is hard to beat.  It ships the fastest and cheapest most of the time.  Plus USPS will give you free Priority Mail envelopes and boxes.  You can even order them from their website and they will drop them off at your door for FREE!  This will save you tons of time at the post office.  USPS also will schedule pick-ups free right from your house.  Using USPS might be a great place to start for your shipping needs.
4. Selling on eBay isn't free, figuring out how much eBay fees are will save you money in the long run.  Not knowing what the eBay fees are can quickly cut into your profits.   Understanding how eBay charges can help determine your pricing structure.  For instance, you don't want to list something in an Auction Style Listing with a price of $200.00.  The insertion fee goes from $2 to $3 for items listed over $199.99.  If you listed a hundred or more listings this tip could save you over a $100 in fee's alone.
5. Know the rules, play by the rules. Getting  to know all of the eBay Seller Policies and PayPal Buyer and Seller Policies will take a little bit of time, but DON'T skip it.  There are several reasons for this, in the case of a dispute, you will be prepared and protected from buyers filing false claims.  For instance, if your auction sells for over $250 PayPal requires the seller to get signature confirmation for delivery.  Without purchasing this option you could lose the dispute.  Knowing this allows you to adjust your shipping and handling fee's if necessary and makes sure you aren't the victim of fraud.

Once you have signed up for your eBay and PayPal accounts, read all the policies and procedures, know what shipping methods you want to use, now all you need to know is what your going to sell.  More importantly, how much are you going to make.  But first we need a little information.  Here are a few tips to know before you list your item for sale on eBay. Knowing What and How to List Your Items on eBay:

1. Sell what your interested in, in the long term this will help you to become successful on eBay. Think about what your hobbies are and then make those items your primary items to sell – this is of course if it can make money!  If you are into computers or electronics find a way to buy these cheap and turn them over for a profit.  There are many ways to find items to sell, you can start by selling your own items or some of your friends items (this is a great way to build up your feedback), buy items using Craigslist (you can read my article on Buying and Selling on Craigslist) or you can find a drop shipper to purchase products from.
2. Research, Research, Research! Knowing what your product is worth is vastly important.  There is an old saying in real estate that goes something like this, 'You make money when you buy…' This is true when buying and re-selling on eBay.  If you buy to high your profit margins evaporate.  Know what your items are worth and make sure there is money to be made, after you include all your fees.
3. Create your own set of policies for people who bid on your auctions. Write your expectations for buyers.  Will you offer refunds on your items?  Will you offer or require insurance, signature confirmation, or express shipping?  Will you offer multiple item shipping discounts, or limit who can bid on auctions based on feedback?  These are all things you should consider before setting up your first auction.
4. Know when to list your auction.  Depending on the type of auction that you use (auction style or Buy it Now) you may want to list your items at different times so that they end at the correct time.  If you want your auction item to receive the most possible traffic, you are going to want to have you listing expire during a time where all time zones in the US have had a chance to view your auction.  Most people recommend ending your auctions on Sunday nights between 6PM and 12AM Pacific Time.  However, I would highly recommend that you experiment for yourself and find what works best for you.
5. Using eBay tools or third party services can increase your profits and make you more efficient. Using a template or theme for your auction can give your auction a more professional appearance.  A drop shipper can get you access to large amounts of product, you can use the eBay Turbo Seller to list multiple items at once, or tools such as Auctivia, Square Trade, or Auction Snipers (for buyers).  There are many extensions available for buyers or sellers that fit right into your Internet browsers, including the FireFox eBay Companion , the Chrome eBay Extension, or the Internet Explorer eBay Side Bar.  There are many, many more eBay tools out there for sellers.  A simple Google search will provide dozens more.

Creating a Top Notch eBay Listing

1. Create a winning title for your listing.  When you are listing an item, you should think of every word in the title of your auction as a keyword, just as you think of keyword in Google searches.  The more relevant keywords you use, the better chance you have of your auction item showing up in a potential buyers search list.
2. Using photos in your eBay listing.  Using photos can be a very important part of your auction.  Whenever possible use authentic pictures and not just stock photos.   Showing detailed photos with defects of your items will establish trust with your buyers.   Buyers want to see the condition of the item they are purchasing if you use stock photos it can appear as though the seller is trying to hide something.  In some auctions it will be worth paying the additional eBay fees to include multiple photos in your auction.
3. The difference between Buy it Now and Auction Style Listings. There are several different types of auctions that eBay allows.  The first, and most common, is the auction type listing.  Auction style listing start at a specified price and are bid up until time runs out and the highest bidder wins.  You can also choose how long to list your item for up to ten days.  You can choose to put a reserve on the item or not, which protects you in case your auction doesn't sell for as much as you want it to.  Or, you can choose to use a Buy it Now auction.  This type of auction allows you to determine a set price for your item.  If a buyer uses Buy it Now then the buyer pays the full amount at the time that they choose Buy it Now.  The main benefit is that you don't have to wait for the entire duration of your auction until you sell your item.  The downside is that you could be leaving money on the table if you don't set your Buy it Now price high enough.  You can also choose to include a Best Offer with a Buy it Now auction.  This allows potential buyers to submit an offer less than your Buy it Now price.  This can come in really handy if you have priced your item to high.  For a more in-depth review you can read an eBay review and guide written by a member of the eBay Community.
4. Communicating with potential buyers. Communication is one of the most fundamental elements of any successful business.  If you want repeat business and positive feedback then you need to make sure you are clear, concise, and accurate with your auctions.  When someone asks you a question it's important to reply fast and thoroughly.  In addition, you can incorporate Skype into your eBay listings.  This gives you the ability to to communicate with buyers immediately if you are online, without giving out your real phone number.
5. What to include in your auction.  There are many things you should incorporate into your auction, and you should always be as thorough  as possible.  Things to include in your auctions should be (if relevant) the quantity of items included in your auction, what it comes with, technical details or specifications, links to manufacturers or retail sites, reviews of your product, etc.  You can also set up your eBay account preferences to show your eBay auctions in Facebook by using this eBay Facebook Application.

Finalizing the Sale of your eBay Auction

1. Packing your item to ship. It's important to make sure you pack your items carefully.  Make sure you pack your items accordingly, this means if it's electronics then pack it in bubble wrap or something similar.
2. Ship your item intermediately. Buyers like getting their items fast.  When you meet or exceed buyers expectations you are more likely to get good feedback.  Since everything on eBay revolves around getting positive feedback, you should do everything in your power to ensure that every transaction goes smoothly.  The best way to do this is to ship it fast.
3. Include a personalized note for your buyer. This is one way you can increase buyer satisfaction.  It shows that you care and that you took the time to write something specifically for them.
4. Leave feedback for your buyer. I mentioned earlier that eBay revolves around buyer and seller feedback, so it's important to leave accurate information.  However, as a seller I would precaution you to not leave feedback until after the buyer does.  Once you ship an item and the buyer receives the item it will usually take them a few days to leave feedback.  Once the buyer leaves feedback then it's your turn.  However if you do this out of order and leave positive feedback just because a buyer bought something, the buyer could turn around and give you negative feedback and you won't have the opportunity to leave accurate feedback for them.
5. Set up a spread sheet to keep track of your expenses for your eBay business. After selling nearly fifty items in just a few months I learned how important it was to know what items I had been selling and how much they were selling for.  In addition, I started tracking were I was buying my product from (Craigslist, friends, eBay, other classifieds, etc), this allowed me to make my business much more efficient and to know where all my money was going (read: eBay, PayPal, and shipping fees).

Final Thoughts There are many, many ways to make money on eBay.  I have only briefly touched the surface of what is possible.  It's true that knowledge is power and that they more time and effort you put into learning about your new eBay business, the more money you can make.  What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another person.  You will learn the most through trial and error. For those of you who have made money on eBay, what works for you?  Where do you buy product, how do you ship, what tools do you use, and what has failed?

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1. Welcome Home

Over the past two years or so I have been using Craigslist to buy and sell many items, mostly electronics, but I have bought appliances, almost two thousand books and sold my Saturn Vue on Craigslist. Here I have compiled a list of the Top 5 Tips for Buying things on Craigslist, the Top 5 Tips for Selling on Craigslist PLUS 5 Bonus Tips!

5 Tips for Buying on Craigslist

1. Just because it's on Craigslist doesn't make it a good deal. Shop around, many times there are comparable deals on eBay, Amazon, or even your local stores. In addition, sometimes Craigslist deals are overpriced. You still need to do comparative shopping to know if your getting a good deal or not.
2. Many times you will get amuch better deal from someone if you place a Wanted To Buy (or WTB for short) add. If you place an add this way you are more likely to find someone who is just willing to get rid of something than if you purchase from someone that is specifically there placing an add to make money.
3. Just because an add says a price doesn't mean that it has to be the price you pay. When I buy something I almost always start off by seeing if they are willing to negotiate or if they are firm on their price. Sometimes an add that starts out higher can end up being a better deal because someone is willing to negotiate.
4. Don't rely solely on your city to give you the best deal. Sometimes it's worth the effort to travel 30 min. or so to save $50-$150 on an item (depending on what your buying).
5. In sales, your taught to ask someone to buy three times before you accept no for an answer. Always ask for a discount, even if it's uncomfortable. You may ask in the first email, then when you about ready to meet and arranging pick up, and again when you see them. If they say no make sure your prepared to give them the agreed upon price and pick it up all in one trip. This is the best way to insure you get the best deal possible. Sellers don't want to tell you no, and they don't want to give up the cash they see in your hand.

5 Tips for Selling on Craigslist

1. Be specific, give as much information as you can about your item and whether or not you will accept a best offer or if your price is firm. This should reduce the amount of emails you get. While you may limit your potential buyers by being specific, you will actually receive much more interested buyers. This makes it much more likely that each person who contacts you will actually purchase your item.
2. Make sure you include pictures of your actual item. Many times sellers will include a stock photo of an item they are selling but this causes doubt. What are they trying to hide? What is the condition of the phone? Do they actually have one? Seeing the actual photo of the item listed will also eliminate a lot of questions. They can see what color, the condition, whats included, and so on.
3. Only sell what makes sense to sell on Craigslist. Some items may do very well here, furniture, vehicles, or anything really that you want to see in person or that is to large to ship. Other sites (i.e. eBay, Amazon, etc.) will do better for smaller items that you want to get the most bang for your buck, but anything thing to large to ship should be sold via Craigslist.
4. If you are going to do this a lot, treat it as a business. Give someone a good deal, through in something they weren't expecting and give them a business card or tell them to remember you. The next time they have something to sell, guess who they are going to think of? You!
5. ONLY deal in cash or verified funds. You have no idea if the check is good or not. Even if the check is good someone can put a stop on it after the item is acquired. Don't try to pay with a check, it creates a feeling of uncertainty when you are talking with your seller.

5 Bonus Tips for using Craigslist.

1. When you meet your buyer/seller, always meet in a very public/visible location. For safeties sake you don't want to meet out in the middle of nowhere with lots of cash on hand and no witnesses. If possible take someone with you to meet your buyer/seller.
2. Be careful using shipping. Craigslist was designed for dealing with people locally and that's what it's best for. If you are interested in buying an item with shipping eBay is probably a better method. That is not to say it won't work, I have made several successful transaction buying from people in another city, however I have also been ripped off twice. My suggestion is to use Paypal if you are going to do it. Make sure they give you a tracking number. Craigslist can be a great tool, but if you are dealing with someone in another city who you have never met, there is not accountability system, and they don't respond to your emails or won't pick up the phone – YOU'RE STUCK!
3. There are many tools out there available for using Craigslist. You can use searching tools such as CraigsPal, SearchTempest, or Allofcraigs, which allows you to search all of Craigslist.  There is also a site called mycraigslistadvisor.com that includes all kinds of advice on how to sell your items, make sure to check that out as well!
4. RSS Feeds are available at the bottom of every Craigslist page. You can even create a feed that is in a particular category with a specific search criteria. For instance, if you are in the cars section you can create a feed for a Ford Mustang with a specific year and even a price range. This limits the amount of auctions you will see, but it also makes sure you only see the auctions you are interested in.
5. Have Fun! Buying and selling on Craigslist can be a ton of fun. Make sure you enjoy the process, it will make your entire experience that much more rewarding!

In conclusion, Craigslist can be a great tool for buying or selling merchandise. However, if you are going to buy on Craigslist make sure you shop around, negotiate, check other cities, or place a wanted to buy listing. If your going to sell on Craigslist make sure you are specific, include pictures, sell things that make sense on Craigslist, and only accept certified funds. Leave your comments for any tips you may have that I left out!

Related posts:

1. We bought a new Van!!!

The sermon at church yesterday was about materialism and the effects that it has on all of us. The pastor brought up several points about how we allow things get a hold of us, and we just feel this overwhelming need to have certain things. The pastor then went on to give several examples of times where he had felt the urge to purchase things, and how they always broke or he just ended up not using the items after a while. One way or another, the things that he purchased in order to fulfill some part of him, always let him down. This led me to reflect on my own life and the times that things that I have bought have always let me down.

Something you must know about me, I love gadgets. I worked in the cell phone industry for almost five years, so I have a weakness for the latest and greatest phones. On several occasions over the last three years I would find out about a new phone coming out and I would have to have it. I would read the reviews, watch the video's, do my own critiques, and many times still, just have to have it. I noticed this was more so when things were going wrong in my life. If work was stressful, family life was full of conflict, or spiritually I was going through a dry time, I would find myself more apt to feel the overwhelming NEED to have the latest and greatest gadget. I just knew that if I could purchase this new thing, it would make my life better. Have you ever had that feeling? I have had this feeling, there have been several instances were I have spent a lot of money on cell phones trying to quench that feeling, have you ever done that?

I can remember the last three phones that I purchased standing there looking at it, still gleaming with that brand new feeling. I remember setting up several of the features that I had looked forward to so much. I remember standing there looking at my phone and thinking 'Now what?' I had the brand new phone, I had integrated all the features that I had wanted to use, and now that I had accomplished everything I had wanted, I still had this empty / un-quenched feeling inside. It was almost as if it was a dark hole inside me, the kind that are in the movies were people fall in to but never land, and I keep trying to fill it up…Have you experienced this?

While the materialism seems to be this desire to solve life's problems through stuff, the effects are many. Materialism can lead us into debt, increased stress in our lives, and more importantly, it can cause havoc on  our relationships and marriages. Materialism can also lead us to become a workaholic, and to constantly try to keep up with the Joneses. One last thing it can do, and possibly the most important, it can determine our self worth, which can be by far the most devastating. As we begin to place value on ourselves based on what we have or don't have, or what someone else has. Once we base our self worth on our things, we find that we can't ever be happy, because once we have our new cell phone, and we are standing in the store playing with it, and it's finally yours, you realize it doesn't mean anything. If your brand new item doesn't mean anything, then you now don't feel like you have much worth.

The answer to materialism may sound obvious, it may sound simple, and it is, both. However, it's not easy, and it's not intended to be. The cure for materialism it total surrender and obedience to Christ. The cure calls for you to surrender your desires, goals, ambitions, and self worth to Him. He asks you to find your worth in Him, your desire for Him, and your surrender to Him. This is not an easy task, because it isn't a task, it's a series of choices that we make for the rest of our life. The only way this works, the only way that we can make these choices, is if we chose to find value in the same things that Christ has called us to, apart from Him, this is impossible. What about you? How have you overcome the effects of materialism in your life?

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