The Purse - Money

My purse is probably the most used item in my bag after my phone.  I'm really fussy when it comes to buying purses – I have to know that I'm going to like it for a long time as I use them until they fall apart!

I'm going to split this section into a few parts as although with a purse you usually spend money, there are loads of things in life that we spend, such as money, time, efforts and even thoughts. 

I’m going to focus on a few areas of spending and post them all as separate posts so that you don’t have to read through them all in one go!  But I’m going to start with the most obvious of all the things you can spend…

Money

Money can be a pretty tricky subject.  Some people have a healthy view of it and hold it very lightly, whereas for some, it is everything. 

One of my favourite artists called Andy Warhol once said:

 “I'd asked around 10 or 15 people for suggestions. Finally one lady friend asked the right question, 'Well, what do you love most?' That's how I started painting money.”

Jane Austen, in the book Mansfield Park, also wrote:

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.”

Makes you question where your happiness is, doesn’t it?

I love the word ‘sale’.  Whenever I walk past a shop I like and see the word ‘sale’ proudly displayed in the window, my heart beat quickens and I’m often drawn inside.  Sometimes I can walk past and be strong!  But I’m being honest here and telling you that more often than not, I find it very hard to ignore it, particularly when it’s HMV or Superdry!

Occasionally I see shopping as a stress relief and it is something I am trying to stop doing.  Some people can’t stand shopping and their worst place to be when they’re stressed is in a shopping centre.  But for me, I find it really relaxing.  I just love looking at the new albums shelf in HMV, browsing the box sets of DVDs, pretty clothes, accessories, bags, shoes and I get a little bit excited about the prospect of finding a bargain.

Materialism is an issue that comes up here which often sounds strong, but is the reality of the world we live in and this kind of situation we face. 

As humans, we have to shop.  We work for our money and God continues to bless us with it so that we are provided with all we need.  But when we take Him out of the equation and replace Him with a love of material possessions or a want to spend money rather than spend time with Him, it can get tricky. 

Materialists love things and use people.  We are used by shops all the time.  We are known as consumers and everyone wants us.  ‘Sale’ signs are meant to be bright and eye-catching, to draw us in and give them our money. 

As much as we think our money is ours, it’s not.  Everything on Earth belongs to God.  Psalm 24:1 says –

“The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein.”

Everything on Earth is His.  EVERYTHING.  Please don’t get me wrong here.  I am NOT saying that shopping is wrong and that you shouldn’t spend your money on nice things.  If I was, I would be the biggest hypocrite in the world and you should stop reading this blog right now!  This is something I find difficult and am still learning to deal with in the right way, and God calls us to enjoy life!  But He DOES call us to be sensible and use our money wisely.

Everything we have is a gift from Him.  He provides everything.  While I was reading around this subject I came across a quote from a man called Andrew Murray and he said:

“How different our standard is from Christ’s.  We ask how much a man gives.  Christ asks how much He keeps.”

If you want to hear more about using money wisely then I’m happy to try and answer questions or even write about that another time!

Ultimately, all of this world will disappear.  This is why Jesus advises us not to store up treasures here, but to make our treasure Him:

“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.”
Matthew 6:19-21

This verse can really help us to think about whether or not we need to shop or spend money on things we don’t need.  The thought process that now has to go through my head is – “Do I need anything from that store?”  Usually, my answer is no.  On a practical note, this is a good question to ask yourself! 

Luke 12:15 says:

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

In this world we live in, we can very quickly get caught up in wanting to look like someone else and wishing we could afford what our friends can.  But the reality is that we are individuals, just as God has created us to be and He has given us an inheritance in Heaven already that is so much more valuable than anything here on earth!

One day, all of this world will disappear. 

God will NEVER disappear.

I’ve posted a link to a song that helps me understand this whole subject a little bit better and would recommend a listen if you have time!

Matt Redman - Breathing The Breath