How To Escape The Trap of Materialism

Pastor Josh Surratt teaches us how to escape the trap of materialism in our life in part two of The Blessed Life.

We are trying to satisfy the deepest needs in our life with stuff, when the only thing that can satisfy our deepest needs is God.

Message Notes:

Human desires are like the world of the dead -- there is always room for more.
Proverbs 27:20 (GN)

WHY DO I ALWAYS WANT MORE?

BECAUSE OF 3 MISCONCEPTIONS:

1. HAVING MORE THINGS WILL MAKE ME MORE HAPPY.

He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10 (TLB)

2. HAVING MORE THINGS WILL MAKE ME MORE IMPORTANT.

Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are. Luke 12:15 (TLB)

3. HAVING MORE THINGS WILL MAKE ME MORE SECURE.

The rich man thinks of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety. What a dreamer! Proverbs 18:11 (TLB)

HOW TO BREAK THE POWER OF MATERIALISM

1. RESIST THE COMPARISON TRAP

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

3. RETURN THE FIRST 10 PERCENT BACK TO GOD.
... The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.
Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)

4. REFOCUS ON PERMANENT VALUES

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 (NLT)