Do Not Love the World (1 John 2:12-17) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (NKJV)

“Affluenza”

Materialism: The Goal? “…selfishness and materialism are no longer seen as moral problems but as cardinal goals in life.” - Tim Kasser

Materialism Defined: Preoccupation or stress of material things over spiritual Concept that material possessions bring about happiness and well-being Accumulating material possessions constitutes progress

“…where your treasure is…” (Matthew 6:19-21) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NKJV)

“But I have to make a living!” (Matthew 6:25) "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (NKJV)

A Little Materialistic, But Spiritually-Minded? (Matthew 6:24) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (NKJV)

“Affluenza” “Affluenza is a strange malady that affects the children of well-to-do parents. Though having everything money can buy, the children show all the symptoms of abject poverty – depression, anxiety, loss of meaning and despair for the future. Affluenza accounts for an escape into alcohol, drugs, shoplifting and suicide among children of the wealthy. It is most often found where parents are absent from the house and try to buy their children’s love.” – Randy Alcorn, Possessions and Eternity

Affects of Materialism Marriage/Family Infidelity Sleeping Disorders Murder Euthanasia Depression/Suicide Error Partiality Greed Loss of Spiritual Direction Financial hardship

Financial Hardship About 43% of American families spend more than they earn each year. Personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade. Average credit card debt per household with credit card debt: $16,007 (2009 Statistics) Gambling addiction: growing problem in U.S.

“When Goods Increase…” (Ecclesiastes 5:11-12) When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. (NKJV) (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19) Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (NKJV)

Lessons From the King of Materialism: Mirth, pleasure and laughter (Eccl. 2:1-2) Fine dining (Eccl. 2:3) Beautiful houses, pools, gardens, orchards, vineyards (Eccl. 2:4-5) Numerous servants to do the work for him (Eccl. 2:7) Cattle and livestock – businesses producing income (Eccl. 2:7) Riches: silver and gold (Eccl. 2:8) Vast stores of “collectables” (Eccl. 2:8) Musical entertainment (Eccl. 2:8) Power, position and prestige (Eccl. 2:9)

Finding Contentment (Hebrews 11:13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (NKJV)

Finding Contentment (Hebrews 13:5) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV) (Philippians 4:11) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (NKJV)

Finding Contentment (Proverbs 1:19) So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. (NKJV)

Gain! Gain! Gain! (Proverbs 3:13-14) Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. (NKJV) (Philippians 1:21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (NKJV) (Philippians 3:7) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (NKJV) (1 Timothy 6:6) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (NKJV)

Check Your Profit Margins! (Matthew 16:26) "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)