January has been an interesting month. The lease on my vehicle was to end shortly, so it was a month of decisions. After looking at three comparable SUVs, we concluded that the best option was to buy the Nisson at the end of the lease. However, that decision generated another set of things that needed to be purchased: two front tires. Yes, those originals were not those wonderful Michelins that are good for 80,000 miles. While the new Michelins came with an excellent mileage guarantee, they also required an alignment to preserve the full warranty.
On the home front, after fourteen years in our house, it was time to freshen up the kitchen cabinets. Things get tired looking like we do as we push into our mid-80s. This week, we are living in chaos—things spread out throughout the kitchen.
During 2023, there were other things needing attention. Two computers got tired and decided to retire. The gas lawn mower would not tolerate another rebuilding, so it was replaced with a green machine—literally and environmentally.
In late December and early January, I got new glasses. I also got new reading glasses with cataract surgery. They, in turn, called for expensive drops two to three times a day with a nightcap of antibiotics.
Revisiting the Thinking of Jesus
As I reviewed the past year and the first month of 2024, I thought about these familiar verses.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (NIV)
Reminded of This Gracious Promise
And that knowledge of the Father comes with this instruction and promise of Jesus, “33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (33). He caps this off with this exhortation: Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (34). (NIV)
Notice that all these things include cars, tires, services like alignments, clothing, paint, fuels, and the list goes on. Why? Because our Heavenly Father knows that we need them in this century and this culture. What folks need may not even be thought of three generations from now, but our Father will supply it when needed.
So, What’s the Lesson in the Renaissance?
Here is the point to keep in mind. Our Father knows what we need and has promised to supply it. But what we need and think we need are often very different. Hence, the instructions and exhortation of Jesus are to seek the Kingdom of God first and not worry about what you think you need but learn to be content with what God supplies.
Other writers warn us not to yield to lust (James 1:14), not to envy what others have, and not to be selfish but generous. We often get depressed because we are disappointed with God. Why? Because we have expected what He had not promised to supply. For example, I read two counseling supervision cases this weekend where the same disappointment with God was the root cause of depression. Both folks had suffered both physical issues and the tragic loss of a young person in their families. Both lamented—How can God be a God of love and let this happen? Their disappointment resulted from expecting God to give them something he had not promised and something He had promised. They were not listening carefully to Jesus, who said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
The Culture of Plenty Is A Culture of Opportunity to Lust
Living in a culture where things are plentiful from the first day, we are aware of our surroundings, which presents an ever-increasing challenge. I remember the first morning I awoke on our farm. I jumped out of bed and ran to the meadow to wash my face in my creek. I was the proudest seven-year-old you’d ever want to meet. We did not have running water in the house, no inside bathroom, and no central heating, but it did not matter. I had my creek. However, it was not long till winter weather set in, and other things became the object of desire.
This desire for things is a “disease” that affects individuals and governments, from city councils to state governments. Russia is a prime example who wants Ukraine’s oil and seaport and is willing to invade, kill, and destroy Willie-mile to get what it desires. Demandingness to gain one’s desire is what James tells us creates wars (James 4:1-5).
The point of this simple essay is to raise the question, “How are you handling your desires?” With this follow-up question. What will it take for you to be content with the Father’s supply of your needs?
These are questions that I must keep in mind all the time. I have always been a car guy and have had to reign in my lust on more than one occasion for that new, faster, sportier set of wheels.
I have been a hunter for most of my life, which calls for sound equipment, especially guns. So, yes, I’ve had to pull back on the reigns and say, “Thank you, Lord, I get to go on this hunt, and you have already allowed me to acquire the gun I need—there was always the pull of Mark’s Outdoors to feed the lust for the weapon I did not need.
In later life, I’ve been a model railroad guy. Believe me, it is amazing how quickly the news spreads, “There is a new railroader in town. Let’s get him on our email list so we can sell him what he thinks he needs to have that ideal model railroad.”
Conclusion
Stuff, stuff, and more stuff. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was a Model A Ford so a guy could retire his horse. At the beginning of the 21st century (2007), it was the iPhone to replace that old flip phone, and by 2021, it was acquiring the iPhone 13 Pro. We could cite computers, electric cars, and the ever-changing dress fashion. There is no end to stuff to lust after to crimp one’s spiritual life. And you can do it all in your mind lying on one’s bunk.
Implementation
Take a pencil and paper and make an honest list of all the stuff, places to go, or places to live (whatever your bent) you find yourself with a demanding spirit—I must have this.
Next, confess your sin and seek forgiveness—and perhaps the forgiveness of others you have offended with anger or manipulation in your process of demandingness.
Finally, create a thank list of all the ways the Father has provided for you. Then, find a person with whom you can share your new perspective.