Luke 12.15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
The advent season is that time of year when Christians are to focus on the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ. Thus, it is the responsibility of the church to lead the way in what Christmas really means and is all about. Unfortunately, the spirit of the world has raped the real message of Christmas, and turned it into a covetous, materialistic frenzy that only confirms the biblical truth that materialism can never satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul. The artificial “joy” of December 25th soon turns to despondency on December 26th, when “the goods” simply fail to deliver all that the hype said it would.
Solomon learned that lesson way back in Ecclesiastes. He summed up mans attempt to find happiness or satisfaction in things, sexual exploits, music, horticulture or “deep esoteric” philosophies with one word. Vanity. Emptiness. When The Lord Jesus says beware, guess what beloved? Beware. Knowing us much better than we know ourselves, Jesus warns us about our propensity to think that meaning in life is associated with the accumulating of possessions. Yet, isn’t that the very mantra of the marketing industry of our culture? We are constantly being bombarded with games and gadgets that we are told will make us happy. This thinking that things will make us happy is something that is common to all men. Oh, if I only had that car, that guy, that girl, that house, that vacation….we could go on and on. Yes, there is that immediate “rise” that we get from these sensual highs, but the plunge into despair hits once the reality of life dawns upon us. Life is empty apart from The Lord Jesus Christ.
God gives us richly all things to enjoy. But He never intended that our lives revolve around those fleeting things. The Lord giveth, and The Lord take the away. You never see a hearse attached to a funeral car. Godliness with contentment is the message of Christmas. Yes, giving is the heart of our giving God, but the manner and content of our giving should never be a covetous Olympics that is measured by the price on the box, but by the lowliest and humility of The One Whom we claim to be celebrating. Give the gospel for Christmas. Satisfaction guaranteed to those who hear and believe.
