It never ceases to amaze me how much I am driven by the curiosity to see something sparkly and/or something colorful. Then as I gaze at it, touch it, put it next to me, it’s as if my mind is beginning to possess it before I’ve even decided that I want to buy it.
It’s not as if I need another shirt or pair of shoes or even more beads for bracelets. I have enough already to last me for four years at least! But…I want it.
Oftentimes I walk right up to the edge of the purchase and then change my mind. What usually stops me is remembering that the newness of the purchase will eventually end. I will eventually stop polishing that new ring daily. I will eventually start taking that new bracelet for granted. My eyes will start roaming once again.
I remember the days when there was no inner pull to buy, because there was no money for extras. It wasn’t even an issue. I could walk the malls and even look at clothes without a concern that I might be tempted. Does money offer a key to the door of instant gratification? Maybe. But I still have free will, and I need to seek God before “window-shopping” on the Internet one more time or allowing myself to picture myself in another pair of boots.
Memory Verse:
“Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
– Proverbs 27:20 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, help me with this seemingly insatiable desire to have more. Help me to keep my desire in perspective, and to think with common sense. Help me not to rationalize, because even an inexpensive hobby can get out of hand until there is no more room to store supplies. Help me to listen to your guidance and not to get selective hearing, especially in the area of…”
Contributing Writer:
Theresa Childress
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