Goods vs. God

Colossians 3:2

While we think we may be immune to the endless litany of television commercials, newspaper ads, our friends’ gadgets and gizmos, the constant admonition to spend, spend, spend, we Christians need to be alert to how Satan tempts us with the temporal. I’ll mention a few ways to avoid the magnetism of the cash register or the credit card.

Doctrinal danger . . . substituting the temporal for the eternal. Don’t let physical and earthly “things” get between you and the things that are above.

Personal danger . . . trying to impress instead of imparting the Word. We are doing God’s business, not ours.

Economical danger . . . spending more than you have. Before every purchase, think: Is this within my budget? Is it appropriate?

Psychological danger . . . believing your purchase will make things “all right.” Money won’t buy happiness.

Make Hebrews 12:3 your aim: “Consider Him . . . so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”

Rule of thumb: If you don’t have the cash, don’t buy it.

Avoid the danger of trying to impress others while imparting the Word. We’re doing God's business, not ours.

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Taken from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

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Accuracy, clarity, and practicality all describe the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Chuck is the chairman of the board at Insight for Living and the chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Chuck also serves as the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he is able to do what he loves most—teach the Bible to willing hearts. His focus on practical Bible application has been heard on the Insight for Living radio broadcast since 1979.