Coffee With The Lord

Materialism is a subtle (on second thought, perhaps a not so subtle) idolatry! Trouble is, you can be scrupulously religious and be as materialistic as Scrooge McDuck (you know the cartoon character… frolics in his piles of money and stuff).

There was a good look’n young leader in Israel that asked Jesus one day what he had to DO to inherit eternal life (you DO know that money can’t buy it, don’t you?). Jesus identified a few well known commandments for him to consider… (Remember, this guy was not only wealthy, he was very religious). His answer? “Got it covered, Jesus! Done all of those things since I was a kid!)

Did I say, this young man was VERY wealthy? At that point Jesus put his finger on his problem… the “subtle idolatry” … Jesus said, “One thing you still lack. Sell ALL that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven… and then come follow me.”
The young leader? The Bible says, “When he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich!”

Then Jesus followed up with an extremely important spiritual lesson: He said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!” And then made a qualifying statement when those who heard his statement exclaimed in shock, “Then who can be saved?!” … Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God!” In other words, money and possessions don’t have to be the problem, but they often are! (from Luke 18:18-30)

My opinion? This is often a problem for American Christians… because of the “possessions orientedness” of our culture, it is very easy for American Christians to be materialistic (the “subtle idolatry”). Many American Christians wouldn’t think of bowing to a lifeless idol (that’s pagan!) but their lives are consumed by the accumulation of money and possessions.

I don’t know if I can say this kindly or not… It would be helpful for many of them to spend a month in the home of a devoted follower of Jesus in a third world country. I’ve been there… It’ll change you! They exhibit a deep love for Jesus, overflowing generosity, abounding joy, and nearly nothing in worldly possessions!

Oh Lord, I want to learn the lesson from the story of “the rich young ruler!” I’m determined, with God’s help to avoid, “the subtle idolatry!” Trying to remember Jesus’s words… “A person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions!” (Luke 12:15)

I’m really grateful this morning for significant spiritual leaders in my life – those who have made a profound impact on my walk with the Lord. They came to my community, pastored a church that I attended, or somehow crossed my pathway and were a tool God used to bring me to Christ, contribute to my spiritual growth, met a need in my life or helped me through some phase or situation where I needed help. I could give you all their names but the list would be pretty long…

Thought of that this morning when I read what Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the little church in Colossae…

“Tychicus…is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord! I have sent him to you…that he may encourage your hearts… Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, is always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (from Colossians 4:7-12)

Did you pick up on some of the key words – the characteristics of these spiritual leaders: “faithful minister, fellow servant, encourager, prayer warrior – brother (or sister)”? They are God’s agents for our encouragement, spiritual growth, strengthening and stability.

I’m grateful for every one of them and their contribution to my life! Aren’t you! I’m pausing right now during “Coffee with the Lord” and offering gratitude for them by name to my Heavenly Father. And I want to find some opportunities to tell them personally what a blessing they’ve been to me.

Don’t know about you, but I have a deep concern for the situation today in the Middle East (as it relates to Israel and her Arab neighbors, especially Hamas). The situation there at the present time is a “powder keg” waiting to explode… if not already an outright war!
Today, I was challenged as I read these words from Psalm 122…
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ … to give thanks to the name of the Lord… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace within your walls and security within your towers! … For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” (from Psalm 122)
Gotta tell you, I grieve that a Muslim holy site, the Dome of the Rock, is situated on the traditional site of the Jewish temple! I look forward to the day when Ezekiel’s prophecy of a restored eschatological temple will be fulfilled! (Ezekiel 39:25 – 48:35) I am praying for “the peace of Jerusalem!” I am praying that Jewish people will turn to Christ as their Messiah! I am praying for Scripture to be fulfilled and the coming of the Lord!
In the meantime, I rejoice that there is a real “temple” in Jerusalem (and elsewhere in the world) of the kind spoken of in Ephesians 2:11-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-10 where the Living God makes His presence known that is inclusive of both believing Jews and Gentiles…
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19–21 ESV)
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (from 1 Peter 2:4-10 ESV)