How Do We Fight Against Materialism?

How Do You Fight Materialism & Worry

 

The Cambridge dictionary states that Materialism is the belief that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life. 

 

John Stott calls it a preoccupation with the temporary and passing things instead of the eternal realities of a life with God.  Charles Swindoll says that materialism eventually erodes the passion we have for Christ. 

 

And Jesus in Matthew 6 expresses how materialism can create the unnecessary worries of life.

 

Materialism isn’t new — it’s ancient.  Ecclesiastes says “whoever loves money will never have enough…”

 

How does Materialism create worry?

 

1. Materialism Challenges Our Investment (Matthew 6:19–21) — Earthly treasures are vulnerable—they can decay, lose value, or be taken away. But when we invest our lives and resources in Christ, nothing is wasted; what is surrendered to Him becomes an eternal treasure that can never be lost.

 

2. Materialism Blinds Our Perception (Matthew 6:22–23) — Materialism convinces us that happiness is found in having more, but “more” is always just out of reach. Greed and covetousness distort our vision, causing us to trust possessions for security instead of finding contentment and joy in God’s provision.

 

3. Materialism Reveals Our Allegiance (Matthew 6:24) — Jesus teaches that the issue is not how much money we have, but who is in control of our hearts. If money defines our security, drives our decisions, or controls our emotions, it has become our master; but when God is on the throne, our finances become a tool to serve His purposes.

 

How do we fight against Worry?

 

#1. Trust in God’s Provision (Matthew 6:25-30) — Worry drives us to look at the jar half empty and does not grant serenity Worry can take a complicated situation and turn it into a complex problem.  It like our lives are stuck on zoom, and faith helps us zoom back out and put God back into the picture!

 

#2. Find Reassurance in God’s Love (Matthew 6:26, 30, 32) — Jesus points to the birds and flowers as reminders of the Father’s care. If God faithfully feeds, clothes, and sustains His creation, how much more will He care for those He loves and calls His own?  Jesus places deep value on your life and He is aware of your needs!

 

#3. Make God Your Priority (Matthew 6:33) — Making God your priority means looking for Him consistently in every opportunity and honoring Him in every circumstance.  Every moment of our lives can become an opportunity to notice God working in us to reflect HIs image through our character and behavior.  And never forget to remember God’s sustaining faithfulness, HIs mercies are new every morning and His grace is abundant over your life!

 

#4. Live One Day at a Time (Matthew 6:34) — Today, I would encourage you to be more desperate for God than anything else in this world; because today is the day you get to breathe.  You get to breathe in His love, His mercy, His joy, His peace, because He gave up His breath for you on the cross when He finished the battle of worry over your life!