Downsizing … of Sorts - Martin Wiles

Then he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.” Luke12:18 NLT

“Where are we going put it? I think we’re turning into hoarders.”

My wife and I both have asked the question and made the statements. Our love for antiques—especially furniture—keeps us adding to our collection and trying to fit them into a small home. But on one of our moves, we decided we would downsize, of sorts. Not that we were going to sell anything. We would simply transfer some things from our home to our storage shed.

There were a few items we decided we could live without seeing or using. We loaded them into the back of our SUV and transported them several miles away. Perhaps our kids will want them someday. Or, maybe we’ll once again live in a larger place before we die. And of course, all of our stored pieces were assets we could sell if we needed money.

Jesus told about a rich man who was a hoarder, but he wasn’t into downsizing. He was into upsizing. His crops produced more than usual. His barns were full. There was nothing for him to do but build larger barns, store his goods, and eat, drink, and be merry. Life was good … or so he thought ... until God confronted him and told him his life would end that night.

Whether we downsize in actuality, we need to at least downsize in our thinking. Possessions are for this life. I will always love antiques and continue collecting them—and sell a few along the way. But I’m intelligent enough to know I can’t take them to heaven with me.

God gives us things of this life to enjoy, but they are for earth, not heaven or the new earth. Possessions are tangible, corruptible, breakable, and susceptible to theft. Placing our security or faith in them will always lead to disappointment.

Possessions can bring joy, but God expects us to use them to help others and also advance his Kingdom. Seeing what we have as temporary helps us do this with the right attitude, avoiding the rich man’s. He was selfish and thought only of himself. And, if by chance, our possessions turn our focus from God, we need to downsize.

Don’t let your possessions possess you. Downsize.

Father, I thank you for all you have given me. Help me use them to glorify your name and advance your work in this world. 

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First Things First - Martin Wiles

On November 21, 2015, I experienced another first.

Firsts are important. On this day, two cousins brought a mahogany china cabinet to our home. The reason it was a first is not because it's the first one I've ever owned but because it was the first piece of furniture my mom ever bought with her money. She purchased it to hold China, which she planned to purchase as a part of setting up housekeeping with my dad.

But Uncle Sam called Dad. He and Mom would be going to Oklahoma. So, Mom gave the China cabinet to her sister for safekeeping because she had no room for it in Oklahoma. Somehow, my aunt never returned the cabinet to Mom.

Many years later, my aunt died, and her children, knowing the piece belonged to Mom, called to see if she wanted it. Having now remarried—and now possessing several more China cabinets—Mom told them she wanted it but to give it to me. My wife and I had less room than Mom, but not wanting to forego the chance to own a "first," we squeezed it in.

Knowing the human heart's tendency toward selfishness, Jesus spoke several times about firsts. When asked what the greatest commandment was, He said to put God first.

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37 NIV).

On this occasion, Jesus corrected his disciples, who argued about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus said it was the one who was willing to serve.

My most important first was August 31, 1960—the day I sucked my first breath of outside air and entered this world. The second came nine years later—the day I recognized I was a sinner and needed Jesus' forgiveness.

Putting first things first entails recognizing our sinful bent, asking Jesus to forgive our sins, and committing our lives to him. With this first, other firsts will hold more value.

This first first should lead to a second first: humility. Jesus' disciples wanted to rule, but Jesus reminded them firstness came from serving, not lording. Pride gets us nowhere with God—or others. On the other hand, God praises humility—and others usually do, too.

Serving becomes much easier when we love God above all other people and things--adopt a servant mindset, although it might not appear we're first at all. Jesus says he will reward us if we offer a mere cup of cold water to someone in his name.  

Amid the many things that clamor for your attention, ask God to help you put first things first.

Father, as I set priorities in life, guide me to put first things first: You, my family, my church, and others.

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Looking for the Worthwhile - Martin Wiles

Do not inflict me with love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things. Psalm 119:36, 37 NLT

He was looking for the worthwhile, and his discovery on January 24, 1848, changed the lives of thousands.

James W. Marshall was prospecting at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California, when he discovered gold. News of his find pummeled across the country. Over the next seven years, 300,000 people made their way to California. Half came by sea, and the other half arrived from the East by land, using the California and Gala River trails. Although a few became wealthy, most returned home with little more than they started with. Even more disappointing was finding what appeared to be gold only to have the assayer declare it pyrite or fool’s gold. It looked like gold but was worthless.

I’ve never panned for gold or bought gold certificates, but I have been tempted to love money and the things it can buy—many of which are worthless.

Money in and of itself is neutral. I can use it for good or bad. I can pay my bills or throw it away by gambling. I can buy food and carry it to a needy neighbor or buy the latest smartphone. I can save it for a rainy day or spend it as fast as I make it. I can invest all my extra money, hoping it will reward me with a nice retirement nest egg, or I can invest some and use the rest to care for my family and promote God’s work worldwide.

To his son in the faith, Timothy, Paul wrote, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable” (1 Timothy 6:17). As so many discovered after the stock market crashed in 1929, what is here one moment can vanish the next.

We should choose to store our treasures in heaven, which is what Jesus said we should do. There, they are safe from thieves and the destructive elements of nature. When our focus is on loving and serving God through practical means, our rewards will be secure.

How can you search for what’s worthwhile instead of spending your time on pursuits that will only disappoint?

Prayer: Father, focus our pursuits on things that will build us spiritually and enlarge Your kingdom on this earth. 

Tweetable: Are you looking for the worthwhile? 

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Meandering Monday - Sin’s Temporary Pleasure - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25 NLT

My childhood was no different than most.

Parents and grandparents bought me toys for birthdays and Christmas and sometimes for no special occasion. Most were probably something I had pointed at when I was small or told them I wanted when I was older. Things I thought would bring me pleasure . . . perhaps even for a long time. As with most children, the new wore off quickly. Soon, I tucked my toy away in a closet, stored it in a trunk, or sold it at a yard sale. I moved on to something else.

Becoming an adult hasn’t changed the scenario a great deal. I still see things I think will bring me great enjoyment. As my childhood toys did, they all failed me. The pleasure is momentary, and soon I’ve discarded them for something else.

As a child, Moses was snatched from his childhood tent home and deposited in the grand palace of a foreign king. The riches of Egypt were at his disposal—riches that brought with them a sinful lifestyle. When he matured and recognized who he was, he left the sinful pleasures behind and identified with the oppression his people experienced as slaves.

God isn’t against me enjoying the pleasurable things of this world, but he does expect me to stay away from those that are sinful. Satan has a long history of taking innocent things and dressing them up in sinful wrappings. The fruit Eve ate in the Garden of Eden wasn’t sinful; the act of disobeying God’s command to eat it was.

Things that are outright and obviously sinful don’t usually concern us. Rather, it’s the momentary and innocent pleasurable things we struggle with. The newest smartphone. The latest laptop. The most up-to-date iPad or video game. Things that in the short run provide pleasure but that overall steal our attention from what God has in mind for us.

Sin promises a lifetime of pleasure but only delivers short-term benefits. What do you need to put aside so God can give you something better?

Prayer: Father, may we use everything we have to glorify and serve You. 

Tweetable: Are temporary pleasures failing you? 

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Walk-on Wednesday - God’s Adequacy, Our Inadequacy - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. John 6:11 NLT

Adequacy is the state of having enough or being satisfied.

For some, this means being able to afford the latest play toys: cell phone, television, Xbox, iPod, gun, golf clubs, or sports paraphernalia. Others measure it by how many of life’s pleasures they can purchase and enjoy. Cars, boats, houses, vacation homes, jet skis, motorcycles. Yet, others have learned to find adequacy in life’s simple things.

Five thousand plus people clamored around Jesus. Some wanted healing, some were simply curious, and some loved his teachings. As darkness threatened, food became a concern. Searching the crowd, the disciples could find only a young lad with five loaves of bread and two small fish. Sitting the crowd down in groups, Jesus used what appeared to be inadequate and made it sufficient by multiplying the elements and feeding the entire multitude.

Inadequacy is never a problem when God is in control. My inadequacy may seem enormous, but God can take my little and make it adequate for any task he assigns. He dispenses gifts and talents to his children, but without depending on his adequacy, I’m inadequate to use them properly or to their fullest extent. God’s Spirit residing in me is my Source of adequacy for all life’s challenges.  

Thinking we’re more adequate than we are leads to pride, a characteristic repeatedly rebuked in God’s Word. A more honorable quality is humility, which is praised on numerous occasions in the same place.

Humility admits our inadequacy while pride will lead us to think we’re adequate without God’s assistance. As Jesus challenged the disciples’ faith level by telling them to feed five thousand plus hungry people with the meager meal from the small boy, so admitting our inadequacy allows God to challenge, strengthen, and grow our faith as well.

When we recognize God is our adequacy, the impossible becomes possible.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that Your grace and strength are adequate for any situation we face and for any duty You disperse. 

Tweetable: Is God your adequacy...or things? 

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Flashback Friday - When All We Have is All We Have - Martin Wiles

When All We Have is All We Have

When all we have is all we have, disappointment follows quickly.

Joni* made her pot of gold-selling real estate. A fine house, fine clothes, fine cars, and all the toys her heart desired. She even had her widowed father residing with her to help with the chores around the house and around town—until he met a lifelong friend who had also been widowed, fell in love, and married her. Now he was leaving town and possibly selling his home. Imagining his new wife might now or eventually inherit things she wanted, Joni took advantage of his absence and removed items from his house without his permission. She even confiscated some of his important papers and currency and carted them off to a lawyer for what she considered “safekeeping.” Her greedy nature and uncouth actions resulted in a relationship fracture with her father and his newly inherited family. She had no desire to befriend them. All she could see was her inheritance falling into the hands of strangers. Read more...

Tweetable: Is all you have all you have?

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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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What’s Mine - Solace from the Psalms - Martin Wiles

For thousands of years, people have found comfort in the Psalms. No matter what emotion you are experiencing or fight you're facing, the psalms have something important to say. For the next little while, Love Lines from God will feature, "Solace from the Psalms." We hope you enjoy. And please share them with a friend. 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1 NLT

His nickname was “Double T,” but I knew him better by what snuggled in his pocket each Sunday morning: a single dollar bill.

Double T was a kind man, well-known in the community, well-liked in the area, a faithful church attendee, and a regular giver—of one dollar. Had his offering been a “widow’s mite,” it would have sufficed—but it wasn’t. He was a good friend, but I often wondered how he imagined the church could pay her bills and serve others if everyone contributed only one dollar.

“What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours in mine” is a common quip spoken in jest when a woman wants to remind her husband that everything really belongs to her. But a more appropriate statement might read, “What’s mine is ours, and what’s yours is ours.” The psalmist reflects the correct attitude.

God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), which implies everything I have is His too. What’s mine is His because He’s given me the talents, physical abilities, and opportunities to amass it, invent it, or produce it. It’s only mine on loan.

Since God owns all I possess, I don’t have the final say-so on how I employ it. Well…I do, but I don’t. Misuse gives only one dollar when it’s not a legitimate mite and ignores service opportunities because I’m just too busy or really don’t care.

When I recognize that “mine” is really God’s, I’ll use everything I own in manners that promote His kingdom’s growth and provide for my basic needs and those of others—and at the same time enjoy each breath God gives.

How can you better let your actions say, “What’s mine is God’s?”

Tweetable: Are you giving what God has given you?

Prayer: Merciful God, challenge us to use Your gifts to us in ways that effectively and sincerely serve You and others.

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Oh to Be Content - Martin Wiles

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:8 NLT

I carried them out by the handfuls—a seemingly endless task.

Our move was complete—except for moving our clothes. Although my wife doesn’t buy fancy clothes—nor buy them from expensive stores, she loves new outfits…or at least new to her. Her closet brimmed with pants, dresses, and blouses.

Of course, my closet didn’t look much better. The difference is I don’t buy new clothes. I don’t have to because my wife and mother do. By the time I finished emptying my closet, one car was full. Then I started on my wife’s. This filled the second car and taxed my nerves.

This is ridiculous, I thought. We both have enough clothes to wear for two months without washing. I thought of the old days when houses didn’t have closets. No need for them. As time progressed, closets were included, but they were small and dark. Not much to put in there. People had one or two Sunday go-to-meeting outfits and maybe a few pair of pants and shirts for work. And in developing or impoverished countries, this is still the case.

Paul’s instructions to young Timothy was for him to be content with food and clothing. I suppose we should throw shelter in the mix. Perhaps Paul takes for granted we’re smart enough to know we must have protection from the elements. But how much clothing or food?

When I was a teenager, contentment meant name brand jeans—Levis. It also entailed a certain brand of tennis shoes—Converse. And when it came to a bicycle, it had to have high handle bars and a banana seat. Later, my contentment was measured by larger things with higher price tags. I’m certainly not high maintenance, but neither am I satisfied with a Spam sandwich every night and two pairs of clothes.

But true contentment isn’t measured by things—or even power, notoriety, or recognition. 

Contentment is found in a restored relationship with my Creator, followed by my trusting Him to meet all my needs—not my wants. Since He is all-knowing, He knows what I need—along with how much of it. I don’t have to have mounds of anything; I do need mounds of His love and mercy.

Find contentment in a close and growing relationship with Christ. Nothing else will satisfy.

Prayer: Father, may we find our joy and satisfaction in our daily walk with You.  

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Downsizing…of Sorts - Martin Wiles

Then he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.” Luke 12:18 NLT

“Where are we going put it? I think we’re turning into hoarders.”

My wife and I both have asked the question and made the statements. Our love for antiques…especially furniture, keeps us adding to our collection and trying to stuff them into a small townhouse. On a recent move, we decided we were going to downsize—of sorts. Not that we were going to sell anything. We would simply transfer some things from our townhouse to the storage shed.

There were a few items we decided we could live without seeing or using. We loaded them into the back of our SUV and transported them several miles away. Perhaps our kids will want them someday. Or, maybe we’ll once again live in a larger place before we die. And of course, all of our stored pieces are assets we can sell if we need money.

Jesus told about a rich man who was a hoarder—but he wasn’t in to downsizing. He was in to upsizing. His crops produced more than normal. His barns were full. There was nothing for him to do but build larger barns, store his goods, and eat drink and be merry. Life was good…or so he thought, until God confronted him and told him his life would end that night.

Whether I downsize in actuality, I need to at least downsize in my thinking. Possessions are for this life. I will always love antiques and continue collecting them—and sell a few along the way. But I’m intelligent enough to know I can’t take them to heaven with me when I go.

God gives us things of this life to enjoy, but they are for earth, not heaven or the new earth. Possessions are tangible, corruptible, breakable, and can be stolen by thieves. Placing my security or faith in them will always lead to disappointment.

My possessions bring me joy, but God expects me to use them to help others and also advance His Kingdom. Seeming what I have as temporary helps me do this with the right attitude and avoid the rich man’s. He was selfish and thought only of himself. And, if by chance, my possessions turn my focus from God, I need to downsize.

Don’t let your possessions possess you. Downsize.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for all You give us. Help us use them to glorify Your name and advance Your work in this world. 

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