A reflection on the sin of materialism

Reflections for the day

Luke 16:13-15

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

You cry over spilled champagne! Your complaints are not over the lack of necessities, but the abundance of benefits. You bellyache over the frills, not the basics. Over benefits not essentials. The source of your problem is your blessing. –Unknown

Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment. –Mark Twain

A reflection on the sin of materialism

Heavenly Father,

We are able to see in a way that is clear that Mankind lives in your world which is a world that has been, and is, tainted by materialism. We are able to see in a way that is clear that materialism takes on a number of forms and the forms that it takes on can, and does, affect all. We are able to see in a way that is clear that much of what happens in a daily life is affected by a materialistic thought. We are able to see in a way that is clear that many thoughts are ones that can be, and are ones that are, affected by what is seen, and affected by what is heard in the media.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time during Lent we reflect upon the nature of materialism, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that this was a concern for your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, when a time was spent in the Wilderness. We are able to see in a way that is clear that during a time in the Wilderness that Satan tempted your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, with a thought which was one related to a materialistic thought of your world, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, rejected a temptation that was placed before your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that your people of your world of this day have an expectation, and we acknowledge that an expectation is one to do with a possession that is worldly. We acknowledge there is a difficulty for your children to take what can be described as a step back from all that is worldly and deny a need for a possessions that is worldly. We are able to see in a way that is clear that your children need a guidance and we are able to see in a way that is clear that a guidance is one that is often difficult to administer. We are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your children are led astray, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that many of your children are misguided.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that there are times when a value of a possession is demeaned, and we are able to see in a way that is clear there are occasions when there is a  purchase of goods which is unnecessary. We are able to see in a way that is clear that on an occasion this occurs when a brand that is new, and when a brand is marketed as new, and as exciting, is perceived, and is discerned by your children.

Heavenly Father, we hope and we pray that Mankind can reflect carefully upon a purchase, and we hope and we pray that Mankind can see that a possession that is worldly is meaningless in the Kingdom of Heaven. We hope and we pray that Mankind will see the error of a way, and we hope and we pray that Mankind will make the changes necessary in a life so that Mankind is able to have a life that is eternal with you.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we are concerned with a number of changes that have been made by a budget, and it is at this time we are concerned that a number of changes will mean a downturn in the economy. We hope and we pray that the Government of this country is  able to see a  way forward in a way that is clear, and we hope and we pray that the Government will enable all to live a life that is one that can be described as one that is economically viable.

Heavenly Father, we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to turn to you always, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to put aside a worry, and for Mankind to put aside a concern, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to be prudent in a spending, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that it is a desire of yourself for Mankind to put you first in all that is thought, and in all that is said, and in all that is done.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to yourself, Our Heavenly Father, all that has been said in the name of yourself, Our Heavenly Father, and in the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who together with your Holy Spirit, reigns on most high as the most supreme, and as the most absolute power, and being, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.