Home Tools for your Journey July 9

Thursday, July 9

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?
—James 2:5

Materialism has a way destroying the very fabric of our being. The desire for possessions and the greed for more cuts us off from God's love and grace because our soul becomes split between two loves. God is always ready to come to us no matter what our physical or emotional condition may be, but too much attention on our possessions can keep us from being ready to receive God.

It's not achieving some level of spiritual knowledge that proves that we are part of the kingdom of heaven. It is the openness of our heart, and the poverty of our spirit. God knows our hearts. God sees the poverty of our spirits that causes us to long for grace rather than materialistic possessions. We often think that heaven requires spiritual gymnastics when all we need do is show up with an open heart.

The media tries to fool us into thinking that our worth is based on what we own, whether it is certain materialistic possessions, a particular type of education, or an affluent style of living. What we wear, and how we look becomes more important than finding fullness of heart.

Jesus said that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, the windows of heaven would be open to us and we would receive fullness beyond measure. When we show up in God's presence with an open heart and an empty spirit, the blessing that we receive far surpasses our wildest dreams. Then, the materialism that seemed so attractive is overshadowed by the richness of faith.

Gracious God, shed your light on the dark parts of my life so that I may be rich in your love.