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Sermon Illustrations: Possessions

Lucian (2nd century Greek satirist): The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day - the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account... You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property.

Mennonites get by with very little. On watching a neighbour with many possessions move in next door one said, "Neighbour, if you need anything come and see me and I'll tell you how to get along without it."

What you own isn't who you are. Luke 12:16-21

A wealthy young man was told that he needed to turn to God. He dismissed the idea. That night he woke up to find a frightening being at the end of his bed. "Who are you?" he cried. "I am the angel of death." "Is my time up?" "Not yet," said the angel. "Before I come to take you, I will send my messengers to warn you that your time is near." Then the angel disappeared. Relieved, the man fell asleep. The years went by, and he thought, "I've got plenty of time to make my peace with God. There have been no messengers." "That night he woke to find the angel of death sitting on the end of his bed again. "W-what are you doing here?" he stammered. "I've come for you," replied the angel. "But you can't. I mean, I'm not ready." "Well, I've kept my part of the bargain. I sent my messengers." "What messengers?" "How could you miss them? Your grey hair, your wrinkles, your failing eyesight."

They pamper their children with everything money can buy, from expensive education to a first step on the property ladder. But wealthy parents get a poor return on their investment. The more money spent on children, the less likely they are to enjoy close relationships with their parents as adults, a study found. They move farther away from home, visit their parents less often and make fewer phone calls. Even if they live close to the family home, they see less of their parents than those who are given less, according to the UK study by Essex University's Institute of Social and Economic Research. Professor John Ermisch, who led the study, says material wealth is a poor substitute for love and care. Sunday Mail 3-10-04 p 57

Lord, give me the character to be able to wear a Rolex, and not let the Rolex wear me. Paul Ruzinsky