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Sometimes I talk to Christians who almost apologize for
having a material possession like a new car. They try to
explain why they have it, or how they got it without paying
full price. Sometimes I want to tell them, "Don't be ashamed
of God's blessings!"
Why Do We Do This?
Frankly, I've done the same thing, almost apologizing for
God's blessings, or at least trying to explain them.
We might not want others to feel bad that we have something
they don't, or we may not want to appear materialistic.
More likely, though, we want to display a humble attitude
toward our brethren. "Love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own" (1
Cor. 13:4-5).
We Shouldn't Be Ashamed
When displaying a humble attitude toward others, we don't
have to be ashamed of God's blessings.
Abraham was a wealthy man who had his own army, and was
equal to any king in Palestine. Once, when Lot was in danger,
Abraham formed a coalition and defeated the three kings
who had conquered surrounding cities and taken Lot captive.
Although Abraham was a humble man who possessed great
wealth, he wasn't ashamed of God's blessings.
Likewise, we shouldn't be ashamed of the great wealth
God has blessed us with.
If You're Not Comfortable. . . .
If you're not comfortable with the blessings God has showered
upon you, something is wrong.
Perhaps you don't have a proper perspective. Or maybe
you feel guilty, because you're not enjoying your wealth
in a godly manner maybe you're trying to serve two masters,
both God and wealth (Matt. 6:24).
Jesus gives us the perspective we must have as wealthy
people, in Matthew 6:19-21.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and
where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Writing to Timothy regarding the message he should preach,
Paul further explains this perspective in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Instruct those who are rich in this present world
not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty
of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all
things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich
in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing
up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation
for the future, so that they may take hold of that which
is life indeed.
We should view our wealth as a blessing from God. He desires
for us to enjoy these blessings, while using them as faithful
stewards.
We shouldn't be ashamed of the great wealth God has given
to us, unless we aren't faithful stewards.
It Takes Balance
Many things we do take balance. Jesus had to balance his
hectic schedule, to get the rest He needed to continue His
work (Mk. 6:31).
He also had to balance His work, while observing the Sabbath
law and healing on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8-13).
Priests, too, had to balance their responsibility to keep
the Sabbath holy, while performing their work in the temple
on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:5).
Today, we have numerous things to balance: church, career,
family, friends, personal work. . . .
It Takes Balance: Humble But Not Ashamed
It takes balance to be humble, while remaining unashamed
of God's blessings. We don't arrogantly brag about our wealth,
but we're not ashamed of it either.
We're sensitive toward brethren who have less, never wanting
to make them uncomfortable. At the same time, we don't need
to apologize for God's blessings.
The apostle Matthew and Zaccheus, who were rich men as
a result of their professions, weren't ashamed of their
wealth. And we shouldn't be ashamed of our blessings, as
long as we humbly fix our hope on God.
It Takes Balance: Enjoy Wealth While Generously Sharing
It takes balance to enjoy our wealth, while generously sharing
and working in God's kingdom.
It's hard to know how much of our wealth to spend on personal
enjoyment, and how much to spend laying up treasure in heaven
(sharing, doing good for others). But if we're completely
devoted to God, we'll strike the right balance.
The more we're given, the more treasure God expects us
to lay up in heaven (Lk. 12:48). If we're rich like Zaccheus,
we could give up to half our wealth. But if we're poor like
the widow in the temple, we may only give two pennies.
Conclusion
We shouldn't be ashamed, unless we're not faithful stewards.
Then we should be ashamed of our behavior.
But if we're laying up treasure in heaven in proportion
to our wealth, we should enjoy God's blessings. We shouldn't
be ashamed.
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