Luke 5:1-11 tells a story of how Jesus called some of His disciples. The story features fishermen whose livelihood came from catching and selling fish and they had worked hard all night to catch some fish but were unsuccessful. Jesus came along and told them where to cast their nets and though they were tired and possibly discouraged, the fishermen obeyed Jesus. Jesus knew exactly where the fish were as the fishermen caught fish in abundance; in fact too much for their nets to carry that they had to ask their friends to come with their nets and even still their boats began to sink from the weight of the fish. What would you do? If you were blessed in abundance by the power of God? Possibly rejoice? Throw a party? Call family and friends with the amazing news?
What did Simon do? When he saw the abundant blessing and God’s power. He didn’t rejoice but fell at Jesus’ feet and said:
“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”- Luke 5:8b
Simon in light of God’s power, realised his sin and his unworthiness to be shown God’s goodness. He told Jesus to leave! He wasn’t wasn’t being rude however, and Jesus who knew the intents of his heart told him not to fear. Jesus then calls him to be a fisher of men (verse 10). What comes next in the story shocked me:
‘So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.’- Luke 5:11
They just left behind their abundant blessing. The income that they could have made from all the fish they caught would have transformed their lives, but they left it all! Their stuff, their blessings didn’t have their hearts. The blessing/gift of the fish led to their worship of the Provider of the things, not worshipping the things themselves. Now don’t get me wrong; it is not wrong to have things, but it is wrong when the things have us.
Unfortunately, we can often be like the young rich ruler when our things are in abundance. When Jesus told him to give all he has to the poor and to follow Him, he sadly chose his things over obeying God and went away from Jesus (see Matthew 19:16-22). Jesus told this young man that if he would sell all he has to the poor that he will have ‘treasures in heaven’ (Matthew 19:21). Jesus tells us the same thing, to not store up treasures for ourselves here on earth but in heaven. Why? Because… ‘moth and rust destroy and… thieves break in and steal’ (Matthew 6:19) but when our treasures are in heaven and not in this life, no one can destroy or steal it. Jesus then makes a profound statement in Matthew 6:21 ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’.
We are told that we need to guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23) and I believe this even means against the idolatry of stuff. We were not made to worship things or to put things/possessions before God. Possibly right now you might not have many things so you don’t feel this struggle, but a day may come in our materialistic world, when you may be tempted to cling more tightly to an earthly gift than clinging on tight to our Heavenly Prize—Jesus.
The Psalmist warns us: ‘…If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.’- Psalm 62:10b. God may bless you with riches but if they increase don’t set your heart on them. In proverbs we are also warned ‘Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.’ (Proverbs 23:5). You don’t have to live long to realise that money comes and money goes. Often it can seem that they have wings and fly away, or sometimes it is like our bank accounts have holes which the money falls through. But if the money or the gifts or blessings had your heart and then they go, what will become of you? Remember God gives and He takes away (see Job 1:21). We came into this world with nothing, not even a pair of clothes, and the Bible tells us that we will also leave with nothing (see 1 Timothy 6:6-10). So be prepared for the life which is to come—eternity. If you are unsure of where you are going after you die, I would encourage you to check our last few posts about salvation by clicking here. If you do know that you are saved, remember this life is short; be content, be faithful with what you have, and lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Lord keep us from the idolatry of stuff, amen.
