We are a society that possesses a lot of things. Is it bad to have possessions?  I don’t think so, I believe God gives men the blessing of having and owning things.  To own a home is have shelter to live in, rest in, raise a family in, but then again to rent an apartment gives one the same blessing.  Some things we possess are tools whether the vehicles we drive to get from here to there, or kitchen utensils used to prepare meals. We possess a lot of things and sometimes those things are better described as stuff.  Stuff are those possessions we have but are not quite sure why, or we have it because someday we might use it.  Some folks have a lot of things, others not so much.  Things can require lots of attention, which can require time, finances, or huge storage spaces!  Again, I don’t think having possessions is wrong, unless the things and stuff you own, actually own you!  If what we possess becomes an idol, if it has more priority than anything else, there’s an issue.

Followers of Jesus must watch their hearts in regard to possessions.  If possessions become so important in our lives that we neglect our stewardship of the relationship we have with God in Jesus, then we can find ourselves tied to and even in bondage to this world and the things of this world.  Even a believer who should prioritize their family and the church can place so much time and energy into using, maintaining, or even committing an inordinate amount of time pursuing more possessions.  Again, we are talking a about a person consumed with things to the point that they seem to be the endgame and the only purpose in their life so that everything else loses value and suffers because of it.  This is the influence of the world, that unless you have many possessions, you cannot be happy and cannot be considered successful.  It is the wrong attitude regarding possessions.

Proverbs 15:16 advises, “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.”  Which I believe tells us that the value and worth of a person and the extent of their contentment is not measured by possessions or wealth.  Having possessions is not wrong unless those possessions keep you from serving your Lord.  After all Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “…‘Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.’”  Even though Jesus talks about the place of possessions, He still knows that they can become the very thing that can keep a person from being a genuine follower.  We must seek to have the right heart and attitude each day of life.  Think about what Jesus says in Luke 14:33 and be discerning and wise about possessions; “In the same way, therefore, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”  A challenge for the time we live in.