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How to Keep Possessions from Possessing You

We live in a world overflowing with stuff—and messages about stuff. Everywhere we turn, someone promises that the next purchase, upgrade, or financial milestone will finally bring joy or peace. But Scripture offers a far better—and far more freeing—vision for how believers relate to money and possessions. The Bible doesn’t ignore material things. It puts them in their proper place. When Good Things Promise Too Much We’ve all heard the phrase money can’t buy happiness, yet it’s still easy to live as though it might. When life feels overwhelming, we often reach for the nearest distraction—a purchase, an upgrade, or a new financial goal—hoping it will calm our anxiety or restore a sense of control. But Scripture never teaches that possessions themselves are bad. In fact, Paul writes, “God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Ecclesiastes adds that when God gives someone wealth, possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, “this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Enjoying God’s good gifts is not unspiritual. Beauty, comfort, and experiences can all be received with gratitude. The problem isn’t having things—it’s the place things occupy in our hearts. Materialism doesn’t begin when we own possessions, but when possessions begin to own us. At its core, materialism is the belief that created things can provide what only the Creator can give: meaning, identity, security, and purpose. Jesus understood this deeply. That’s why He spoke so often about money—not because He was worried about finances, but because He cared about our hearts. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Things were never designed to satisfy the human soul. When they become our deepest treasure, our hearts remain restless. Enjoyment Versus Dependence So how do we enjoy God’s gifts without becoming dependent on them? The difference is subtle but crucial. • Enjoyment says, “Father, thank You for this gift.” • Dependence says, “If I lose this, I’ll lose myself.” Enjoyment frees us. Dependence enslaves us. That’s why gratitude is so powerful. Gratitude reminds us that every good thing flows from the hand of a loving God. When we see possessions as gifts, we stop expecting them to carry weight they were never meant to bear. Generosity is another powerful antidote to materialism. When you give, you declare that your hope is not found in accumulation. You remember that God owns it all—and that your joy is rooted in Him, not in what you hold. And here’s an important nuance: rejecting materialism does not mean rejecting material things. Scripture never calls believers to asceticism or joyless living. Instead, it warns us against the illusion that anything—even abundance—can become enough apart from God. Ecclesiastes holds both truths together: God gives possessions and the ability to enjoy them—that’s grace. Yet whoever loves money never has enough. Feeding the craving for more never satisfies it. Three Questions That Keep Things in Their Place If you want to guard your heart, here are three simple questions worth asking regularly: 1. Do I enjoy this gift with gratitude, or do I feel anxious without it? 2. Does this possession help me love God and others—or distract me from them? 3. Am I more excited about having this thing, or about how God may want me to use it? When things stay in their proper place, they become blessings instead of burdens. They point us to the God who provides rather than pulling us away from Him. And here’s the irony: the less we depend on things for happiness, the more freely we can actually enjoy them. Rooting Joy in the Giver, Not the Gift God created a world rich with color, beauty, taste, and texture. He’s given each of us resources and opportunities to steward and enjoy. But things are not ultimate. They are not our source of life. They are not our Savior. Only God is. When our joy is rooted in the Giver rather than the gift, we discover the contentment our hearts were made for. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: • I’m looking for wisdom on when—or if—I should give my kids a car. I have three children, ages 16, 18, and 20. Because we live about 30 miles from school, we’ve always provided vehicles so they can get to activities. Is there a point where it makes sense to give them the car outright to help them grow in responsibility? Or is it better to require shared responsibility instead of a full gift? • Several years ago, I had about $17,000 in credit card debt and enrolled in a debt management program through Trinity Debt Management. I’ve since paid it down to around $6,000–$7,000. I’ve heard about the debt management program you recommend, and I was wondering if it makes sense to switch if the interest rate is lower. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to changing programs at this stage? • My wife and I have been married nearly 42 years, and generosity has always been par...