What does your STUFF say really?

Interesting a Facebook friend would post a status indicating that someone with a nice car had a "Not of this World" sticker on it. And thought it to be odd. And yet... should it be odd? When does God ever say to not have nice things? And I began to think about the things I have, the things I want, and the things I don't have. Where do we draw the line without being seen as "materialistic", and not being so worldly. I am one to shop "last season" racks, because really... jeans haven't changed styles in years (just what is deemed as the "it" jean brand), and really.... style is so broad these days. But when it comes to stuff.... I think about where I see myself in five years... and hopefully it is married, with maybe a kid or two, and hopefully a nice house, and nice cars. Wanting better than how I grew up. But I know all those things won't just come because I want them, but will come as a result of working really hard, and not putting myself to have those things.

When I first started college I resolved that I was not going to live like the example I had growing up-- struggling. I remember everything was a struggle, and we didn't always have the nicest car, but yet my family was always the ones whom drove my friends everywhere (especially in Jr. High). And we had decent houses for the most part until I moved out. I also knew that there were times things were not so great, and in fact weren't even remotely close to it. I shared a room with my brother 7 years my junior until I was 16.... and that was pretty tough I think not having my own space, and we moved around alot... and so I resolved I wanted better. And in the first two years I made so many bad financial choices, because I think while I knew what standard of living I DIDN'T want, I didn't think about the debt I was incurring to make it happen. I actually wanted to be in style instead of getting clothes from like Susie's Deals and Target... I wanted to eventually have a decent car.... which believe it or not... I got Champ dent free ;o)

Now I look to where I am now.... paving the path to being debt free-- slowly but surely. Settling on some accounts from back in my first two years of college. Cleaning up my credit, so I can have those things I desire later on. But those things.... what will they say about me? Is there anything wrong with having an Audi S5 as a dream car? Will it make me seem to worldy? Will people see a materialistic Christian? Or do I have to drive a 1994 Geo Prizm in order to not kill my witness? Honestly... I think there is a heart issue here. I think I work hard to pay off debt... but eventually that money won't be going to past debt, and I will be able to fully handle a car payment (not like a brand new car), but a decent maybe in the decade we are in perhaps.... and will want a nice house that is MINE. I don't need big stone pillars, or a Lamborghini... I just don't want to feel like I need those things. I think it is okay to want things, but to not make them your god. Realizing it is "material" and it won't last forever.

But really? Is it bad to have nice things? Can you still be considered "not of this world" and have the nicer end cars, and live in a nice house, and wear nice things? And maybe those people who do have them are using their blessings to also bless others? For all we know they paid CASH for that Mercedes, and they also give generously to mission organizations. God looks at the heart.... so we should too.... and not just at a sticker or a label... but at the core. Even at our core as we seek our own motives in the choices we make. Granted, we are human... we will make selfish choices.... it is in our nature, but is our heart truly with Christ to where we desire beyond anything else to love others and to be selfless... to serve others, to give to others, and to live like Christ towards others.... what Christianity is all about... a relationship with Jesus and in turn loving others unconditionally like Christ. To recognize we can't do it alone, we need Jesus. He loves us. He did for us. None of that is material... and knowing those material things won't give us a relationship with Christ, nor take it away.... it is our relationship with those things that can interfere that makes a difference.