We humans need stuff. We need food, and clothing, and shelter, and we need a way to get those things. The past year has made us aware of how much we need other things, too: love, companionship, interaction, variety.
We also want stuff. We want money—always just a bit more than we have. We want better health—even if we live in ways that seem to contradict that. We want recognition, which these days comes most commonly by way of likes and shares and congratulatory comments.
“Jesus didn’t accuse the man of dishonesty, theft, or injustice…. He was living the life others dreamed of. What’s wrong with that? Then comes the big surprise: ‘But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?”’” - Randy Alcorn
“Sixteen years ago, my wife and I winnowed all our earthly possessions to eight suitcases, turned down a pair of six-figure incomes, and became missionary physicians in rural Africa. In doing so, I thought I was choosing a life of modest poverty. Instead, I discovered I was an amazingly rich tycoon.” - Mere Orthodoxy
“I trust you are giving gifts. At the same time, be a gift to someone else. Introduce others to the One who is the Gift today and in the weeks and months to come. The ‘stuff’ will all disappear, but our God will reign forever.” - Chuck Lawless
“Gen Z’s priorities are clear: Being happy tops the list (65%), followed by financial stability (53%) and having good mental and emotional health (49%)….Nearly one in three (28%) reports always feeling lonely ….Two in five Gen Z (39%) say they frequently feel anxiety” - RNS
“According to Barna, 84% of Americans believe the ‘highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible,’ 86% believe that to be fulfilled requires you to ‘pursue the things you desire most,’ while 91% affirm that ‘the best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.’” - Breakpoint
“We tend to focus on things that belong at the tail end of stewardship discussions, not the beginning. In effect we’re trying to install the gutters before we’ve laid the foundation and started the framing.” - Randy Alcorn
“ ‘Time is the most precious resource I have. I need to make the most of it.’ He looked at me like I had two heads. ‘No it’s not,’ he replied. ‘What about your health? Your family? Your faith and knowledge of the Scriptures?’ Oh, right. That stuff.” - TGC
“Jesus knew that money was the rich young man’s god. If Christ is not Lord over our money and possessions, then He is not our Lord.” - Randy Alcorn
Since 2002, community importance is up 23%, hobbies/recreation up 13%, money up 12%, and work up 9%. Religion declined 7%. Family remains unchanged, at the top. - Gallup
