With The Most Toys
With The Most Toys
“And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’”
Luke 12:15 NKJV
The expensive sports car’s bumper sticker read, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” As soon as I saw it I knew God was talking to me, because it reminded me of the verse above which I’d just read this morning.
Most people don’t admit to covetousness, so it surprised me to see someone advertising it on one of his toys. It also surprised me that there are people who boldly announce their intentions to pursue materialism for as long as they live. And it really surprised me that someone would be foolish enough to think that dying with the most toys was winning. Does he actually believe he can take his toys with him? Maybe he’s just being funny. Regardless, this bumper sticker said something about the car’s owner.
The Bible says it’s sinful to have an unquenchable desire for more things. In the parable from which Luke 12:15 is taken, the greedy man is convinced that his accumulated wealth will lead to joy and security “for many years” so he can take it easy and “eat, drink, and be merry.” But God confronts him with this question: “You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Lk. 12:19-20). Sobering thought.
As I gazed at this fool’s sports car, I felt the need to examine myself, because this parable begins with an important warning: “Take heed and beware.” It’s so easy to recognize covetousness in another, especially when openly advertised on his car’s bumper, but what about in me? Is my mind taken up with new toys? Is that all I think about, talk about, read about, look for?
This parable should cause us to examine ourselves, especially in light of its conclusion: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Lk. 12:34). I’m sure this month’s Feature articles will help us get a better picture of where we are in reference to materialism.
By Larry Ondrejack