“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1Tim. 6:8)
Satan wants to use anything he can to distract us from serving God. For some, this distraction comes in the form of things or possessions. Now, while there’s nothing wrong with having nice things, it IS wrong when we let those things take our attention away from God and we live more for THEM than for HIM.
A materialistic person feels they must have “things” to make them happy. How can you tell if YOU are too materialistic?
1. YOU’RE OBSESSED WITH MONEY
It’s not money that is the problem, but the love of money. (v.10) says “the love of money is the root of all evil.” That verse goes on to say that a love of money will produce a covetous heart and will eventually cause you “many sorrows.” A materialistic person feels that more money is the answer to their problems.
2. YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH
No matter what God has blessed a materialistic person with, it is never enough. If you always have to have something new, something different, or something more in order to be happy, you have become too materialistic. The Bible says, “having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
3. YOU’RE LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS
A person’s checkbook reveals a lot about their heart and their priorities. Many are living paycheck to paycheck, simply because they are making payments on so much “stuff” they feel they have to have. Instead of praying for what they need, or patiently saving up for it, they instinctively reach for the credit card. If you are spending more than you are earning, you are too materialistic.
4. YOUR PRIORITIES ARE WRONG
Instead of God being the driving force of your decisions, what you desire becomes the driving force. When money and possessions hold your heart captive, God has lost all authority in your life. If you cannot afford to tithe to God, yet you can always seem to get what you want, then you are too materialistic.
5. YOU ARE TEMPTED TO SIN TO GET MORE
The Bible says that the love of money can cloud our judgment and lead us into making sinful choices if we feel that is how we can get what we want. Whether it is outright stealing or simply becoming dishonest in your business practices, if you are tempted to justify sin in order to get something, you are too materialistic.