Bling goes bad

It's great to have nice stuff.

Whether it's a car, a new video game system, jewelry or my personal favorite new hockey equipment, we like to have nice stuff.

At what cost?

Personally here are some things I would love to have: a new goalie glove (mine is torn), a new elliptical machine (I want a good workout system), and a Playstation 3 (Nintendo Wii's have awful sports games in football, baseball and basketball).

These are all things I would love to have.

But will they give me the joy I am looking for?

No.

I only get to play hockey about once a month right now, it would be a stupid purchase to buy a new goalie glove and not use it.

Instead I would rather pay the gas to play hockey in Indy one day a week. I would get a lot more joy in that.

A new elliptical machine would be awesome. It's a great workout machine for my bad knees. When I had one in Michigan I used it at least 2-5 times a week.

A Playstation 3 would be nice just to have. I like the Wii, but I still use my Playstation 2 because honestly the graphics and sports games I play are better.

There are always things that we want.

I am supposed to be saving to get Hailee a new wedding ring, the first ring cost $400 and she would like one where she could see the diamond.

For a lot of girls they love to have jewelry.

For some guys (I am not one of them) the desire is to have a sweet new car.

What would you like to have?

Usually the cost is more than the item alone.

This is one of the reason's Jesus challenges us in Matthew 6 verse 24…

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

What a challenge serve God or money.

He also says don't store up things that rust and moths destroy. In other words don't buy overly expensive clothes and metal because they will both go bad.

Harsh lesson.

Usually the things we want we can't afford, we have to do a payment plan or use a credit card to get those things.

I would love to have the things above, but not at the cost of raising our credit card bill or making another monthly payment.

One thing I am learning through Dave Ramsey's FPU (Financial Peace University) if I don't have the cash to buy it, I can't afford it and shouldn't get it.

I want a lot, but the cost outweighs the joys those items would cause.

Plus there are joys all around me that don't cost a dime.

Hearing Nevaeh say, "I love you daddy and you are a gift of Jesus."

Absolutely priceless, no item I have is ever worth more than that.

Having a wife I just cherish and love to spend time around, it's great.

There are tons of things Hailee does that are better than any item I could have.

There are greater joys outside of just stuff.

What's some joys in your life that doesn't cost a dime.

I thank God for reminding me of these things.

There are memories I will cherish forever.

Nothing can destroy them.

What about you?

Have a great day.