Is It Okay to Have Things?
by Kari Newsom

IS IT OKAY TO HAVE THINGS? IS IT OKAY TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY? IS IT OKAY TO HAVE BIG HOMES AND NICE CARS? SOME SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT, BUT DON'T JUST TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT. YOU DECIDE!

There are many people out there who will tell you that it's not okay to have things. They'll even go so far as to tell you that God doesn't want you to have things - especially nice or expensive things. They'll tell you that if you have things, you're greedy, you're not humble and you're definitely not a Christian. But I completely disagree. I don't think the problem is with having things - I think the problem enters in when THINGS HAVE YOU!

Isn't it amazing how many people will argue with you over this topic. They don't want you to have anything, they don't want anyone else having anything. They associate things with greed, evil and sin. They'll even quote scripture to you (even though they've never opened a Bible, they've just heard it all their lives): "Money is the root of all evil." Well, for all you who say or even think that - I challenge you to find where the Word of God says that and show us all! The scripture they are trying to quote is found in 2 TIMOTHY 3:6 and this is what it says, 'The LOVE of money is the root of all evil'. BIG difference.

When you love money and material things - they control you. But, when you love God and put Him first - you control money and things and that's how it should be. When you are the master over money/things then it won't be used for evil, sin or greed. Even people who have no money or possessions can be greedy - did you ever think of that? On most occassions a person with little or no money/possessions is the one who is always trying to get money/possessions, to hold onto the money/possessions, they end up fearing that they'll lose the money/possessions they get. Greed, evil and sin aren't born out of money or things - they are born in people, so make it a point not to allow yourself to be that type of person.

God doesn't have a problem with us having things, He just doesn't want things to have us. GOD GIVES US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY. Start to enjoy your life everyday and don't feel guilty for having money or things or even desiring them. Money in the hands of honest people of integrity can be used for so much good. If nobody had any money or possessions, how could we reach out and help people? We couldn't.

Begin to look at this topic differntly. If you find that you have allowed yourself to be controlled by your money, paycheck and possessions - step back and begin to approach it differently. Begin to take charge of your thinking and start viewing yourself as the master of these things. Don't let money or things be your god. Put them in proper prospective. And the next time someone tells you it isn't right for you to have things - just ignore them and go on your way!

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Kari Newsom is the founder of KKAN Lifestyles, Inc. and creator of www.thehighestlife.com, the leading expert in living your best life now - Spirit, Soul & Body as well as www.theblufish.com, your one stop informational site with topics ranging from organizing, parenting, weddings, pets, celebrations, holidays and more.