When Bling Becomes Bad - Martin Wiles

Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. Joshua 7:20-21 NLT

I was amazed by what happened when a piece of bling went up for auction.

My wife loves jewelry. Not expensive jewelry—although I’m sure she’d wear it if we could afford it. But we’ve never been able to dress her in rubies and diamonds, except for her wedding ring. She does, however, love bling. Not too much. Just a little.

My wife has a friend who sells jewelry, with a little bling mixed in. They call it paparazzi jewelry. Each piece, regardless of what it is, is only five dollars. Her greatest sales come from her online auctions. One night a week, my wife sits in the recliner and listens to her friend’s online party. Occasionally, my wife has one at the house and helps her. 

Bling sells better than the other jewelry. I had to ask my wife to define bling. After finding out, I listened as she and her friend sold it. Although the price never changes, more of the bling sells. For some reason, the sparkling, dangling, and extravagant attracts.

Achan liked bling. The bling were things set apart for the Lord that God had instructed the Israelites to destroy when they conquered Jericho. Achan chose to steal some bling and hide it. His disobedience cost Israel victory at the next town they attempted to conquer. The bling became bad.

Bling in and of itself isn’t bad, although some think so. I remember when some denominations forbade women to wear jewelry altogether and used a few Old and New Testament verses to support their views. Many of these same folks now wear the bling and reinterpret the verses.

Bling is different for various people. Bling becomes bad when I forget God sees I have put it before Him. Priorities. Decisions. Choices. When I choose things that remove God from first place, I let the bling take over.

Bling is bad when I think I need to have it instead of remembering God has promised to supply my needs. Bling often involves wants, not needs. It’s the extra … the sparkly … the enticing.

Bling also keeps me from experiencing the maturity and spiritual growth that comes through the times when I don’t have the bling. God rarely grows us much in the good times.

Ask God to help you discern when the bling is becoming harmful in your life.

Prayer: Father, we need Your wisdom to know when the bling has become bad.

Tweetable: Is bling taking over your life?

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