God, not Things

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
07/02/06 - Sunday Morning

God, not Things

“And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

“What intrigues me about this text is the means by which God taught Israel ‘that man does not live by bread alone’. God’s way of instructing Israel in this regard was by allowing them to hunger and by feeding them with manna (of which the people rapidly tired). Therefore, by restricting the people’s appetites they would be more likely to rely on God and His word and less likely to become self-indulged, relying on ‘bread alone’” (Berry Kercheville, Focus Magazine, May 2006, p. 6). The wilderness wandering had been a test. “On the one hand, the desolation of the wilderness removed the natural props and supports which man depends on; it cast the people back on God, who alone could provide. On the other hand, the severity of the wilderness period undermined the shallow bases of confidence of those who were not truly rooted and grounded in God. The wilderness makes or breaks a man” (Craigie p. 185). The wilderness brought out in the open what was hidden in the heart—either faith or unbelief. “God led them into the desert where they had no alternative but to trust Him or to murmur against Him” (Bible Knowledge Comm. pp. 277-278).

Notice that there were two purposes to this humbling and difficult experience. The first was to discover what was really in the hearts of the Israelites (8:2), that is, what did they value and prize above all else? Was it a relationship with God at any cost, or was it their own personal comfort and the fulfillment of some earthly need? This verse suggests that what is in the heart can only truly be known by actual experience. Thus, we should be grateful for periods of trial, for only then can we see the true nature of our faith (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-8; James 1:2-4). Secondly, the other purpose of this trial was the hopeful goal that the Israelites would realize that material things are not the real foundation of life. This test was necessary. God is kind and gracious, so anytime that He must test someone, the motivation for such a test is pure. The aim of such a testing is our own improvement. Passing the time is not an automatic time of spiritual growth. Notice the language of 8:3 “That He might make you understand”.

“Man does not live by bread alone”

Many people only think in terms of physical living, yet Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus also quoted the above statement when He was being tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:4. Because the real foundation of man’s being is not the flesh, but is spirit (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, putting the needs of the soul ahead of the needs of the body makes perfect sense. The main purpose in life is not physical comfort or having our physical needs met, but in obeying the will of God. “Jesus made a similar statement in Luke 12:15, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses”. It is interesting that most of the problems we encounter in life have to do with ‘things’, and yet Jesus says that is not where life is found” (Kercheville p. 6).

Applications

· Have we accepted the subtle message in our culture that buying and owning will fulfill our various needs for happiness and fulfillment?

· Do we spend just to spend? “Many are in the habit of spending just for the pleasure of doing so. We must understand that buying, owning, and filling our lives with earthly activities, even when we have the money (or the credit) to do so, brings with it the inherent trap of stealing our hearts away from God” (Kercheville p. 7).

· How many of our idle thoughts center around our own personal enjoyment and activities? How often are we focused on something that we want to buy, a place we want to see, an earthly activity or pursuit? Is the focus of our entire day the gaining of some new possession? In comparison, how often do we think about eternal realities (Colossians 3:1; Matthew 6:19ff)?

· If our mind is filled with dreams of earthly things, “This is because we can’t help but think about what we love and about those things that are filling our lives. Our heart is where our treasure is” (Kercheville p. 7).

“Jesus is warning us against seeking fulfillment in this world’s activities and this world’s possessions. We need to come to grips with the fact that we love to possess and we often demonstrate an addiction to spending and consuming. Isn’t it interesting how we shake our heads in disgust when we read of Israel complaining about the manna, and we are sick and tired of turkey leftovers the third day after Thanksgiving!” (pp. 6-7).

Red Flags

“Be on your guard against every form of greed” (Luke 12:15)

· Does a shortage of spending money or an inability to buy something affect our perspective?

· Do we feel that there is some inherent safety and security in owning a home, or having extra money in the bank? (Psalm 19:10)

· Do we derive more pleasure from buying something rather than reading the Scriptures?

· As a wife, am I more concerned about my husband earning more or growing more? Do I feel unloved if my husband fails to buy me this or that?

· As a husband, do I feel that since that I am a good provider for my family that I am excused from not communicating, spending more time with them or growing spiritually together with them?

· Do I buy things for my mate rather then give them what they really want, that is, definite positive and spiritual changes in my life and priorities?

· Do I feel secure when I am surrounded by more stuff?

· Do I feel that a certain income level or a certain level of “stuff” is evidence that I have arrived and am successful?

· When the world is difficult, where to I run? My stuff, or God?

· Is acquiring something, eating something, or doing some physical activity my solution to depression, anxiety, worry or stress?

As I watch a number of the cable home improvement shows it seems that one often repeated theme is that a couple is wanting to create a space in their house in which they can relax. At times they will even refer to this as some kind of private sanctuary. Yet while many homes are in true need of a “clean sweep”, the true answer to worry or stress is not a physical space, having some physical need met, or eating another bag of chips, rather the answer does not require anything physical at all, but “Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Motivation for Change

· First and foremost, the path of using physical things as the foundation of our happiness simply does not work. Everyone already knows this, yet we often seem determined to hold on to this myth. Years ago God said, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy” (Isaiah 55:2).

· Secondly, turning to the physical is only a temporary fix and the fulfillment, peace, or happiness is very short-lived. Jesus noted, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again” (John 4:13). This is not only true of food and drink but of all physical activities and things as well.

· The inner man desperately needs something far more substantial and real than having some earthly need met or possessing some earthly object. The good news is that we are far deeper creatures.

· Trying to find happiness in the physical is frustrating, because just about the time that I have remodeled the house or created the perfect backyard experience, I notice that something needs to be painted, there is another weed, the grass needs to be cut again, or what I created two years ago is no longer fashionable. In fact I have observed that the most cutting edge fashion statements, yard ornaments or paint colors have the shortest life span as far as trends are concerned.

· Physical things are also every demanding of us. They demand our time, and effort, in order to maintain them, dust them, store and organize them, and make space for them. “When goods increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on?” (Ecclesiastes 5:11).

· There is a wonderful freedom in realizing how little I really need to live. God placed the Israelites in a wilderness, away from all sorts of earthly distractions. There were no amusement parks, videos, television programs, resorts, trendy little towns, upscale shopping malls, or buffets in the wilderness. Yet God was trying to teach them (and us) a lesson. None of those things are necessary for real “life”. He was hoping that they would finally realize, “Well, all we have is the manna, fellow believers, family, and God, and you know what? We are happy!”

So be grateful when the circumstances of life restrict our ability to spend or do some earthly activity. We are not unlucky, rather we are being handed a wonderful opportunity to grow. Jesus said, “I have meat to eat that you know not of” (John 4:35). “Now I am willing to sacrifice because the fleshly desires no longer dazzle my eyes. Prayer and Bible study take on new meaning and add an exhilaration to life that cannot be matched by the physical” (Kercheville p. 7).

Isaiah 55:1-2

55:1 “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters”: “Note that people are bidden to ‘come’, which stresses their responsibility. They are urged to ‘buy’, which implies the exercise of initiative” (p. 111). “And you who have no money come, buy and eat, come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost”: God’s blessings and salvation cannot be purchased with money (1 Peter 1:18-19), and salvation cannot be earned or merited (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). In addition, notice how salvation is likened to a banquet (Luke 14:15-24), becoming a faithful servant of God is not a life of miserable privation for the soul! All are welcome! This salvation is offered to “everyone” (John 3:16). “Water, milk, and wine (Joel 3:18) are symbolical of spiritual nourishment and salvation (John 4:13-14; 1 Peter 2:2)” (Harkrider p. 129). 55:2 “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” “The Lord asked the people how they could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 1110).

55:2 “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance”: “The prophet does not plead or argue, but throws into the quiet pool of their complacency a disturbing pebble, as he asks: ‘Does all this really satisfy you? Is this what you are for?’ He speaks with urgency. Listen, listen’” (Gaebelein p. 312). As long as we insist on finding happiness in earthly things we are depriving ourselves the “abundance” that God wants us to have.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017