They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25
“Stuff is and always will be good, but our sinful hearts make mountains out of molehills and turn stuff from a good to The Good, worshipping and serving created things rather that the Creator. The way to free ourselves from our slavery to stuff is to share it with others. When we do this, we turn from being hoarders to God’s distributors. This allows us to see stuff in light of the three T’s: to use stuff as a tool to do God’s work in the world, knowing that we are being tested as to how well we can bear God’s generous trademark to the world. There are eternal consequences to this test, so it is of the utmost importance that we take it seriously and strive to use and enjoy stuff as God intended us to. This is no easy task!”
Wesley K. Willmer with Micah Hogan in Stuff & Soul: Mastering the Critical Connection (Colbert: Kingdom Life, 2020) 50. Here’s another winner book by my mentor and friend, Wes Willmer.
Willmer offers practical advice for making sure we don’t worship created things instead of the Creator. We must handle stuff as a tool for doing God’s work. It’s our trademark, showing God’s love to the watching world. And, it’s a test of obedience.
How are you using stuff as a tool to do God’s work? If your handling of money and possessions reflects a trademark, how would people describe you? Since stuff is a test that has eternal implications, would you pass? Take time to ponder these thoughts?
As I am teaching Faith and Finances this month at Northern Seminary, I am exposing my students to books and resources for their personal journey and for helping others. I hope you enjoy the sampling of resources I will feature afresh in my daily posts.