Are You Maintaining Your "Large Shield of Faith"? - PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MATERIALISM

Materialism  can cause us to become distracted and neglect our shield of faith.  The apostle Paul said:  "No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order to gain the approval of the one who enrolled him."  (2 Timothy 2:4) In fact,  Roman soldiers were not allowed to get involved in any trade.   What might happen if a soldier ignored that requirement?

 Imagine the scene.  A group of soldiers spend the morning training with their swords, but one of  their company is missing. That soldier is in town  setting up a food shop. In the evening, the soldiers spend time inspecting their armor and sharpening their swords. But the one who owns the shop spends his time preparing food to sell the next day. The next morning, however, an enemy launches  a surprise attack.  Which soldier is  more likely  to act appropriately and earn the approval of his commanding officer? And whom would you want standing beside you - a soldier who focused on being prepared or the one who was distracted?

Like good soldiers,, we not become distracted from our primary goal-gaining the approval of our Commanders, Jehovah and Christ.  We view that as being more valuable than gaining anything Satan's world has to offer.  We make sure  that we have the time and energy we need to serve Jehovah and to keep our shield of faith and the rest of our spiritual armor in good condition. 

We must never let down our guard! Why? The apostle Paul warned that "those who  are determined to be rich" will be "led astray from the faith." (1 Timothy6:9, 10)  The expression "led astray" indicates that we could become distracted by trying to acquire unnecessary  possessions. We could then expose our heart to "many senseless   and harmful desires."  Rather than allow those desires in our heart, we must see them for what they are-weapons that can harm us. 

Suppose we have the financial means to buy many material things. Are we doing something wrong if we purchase things that we want but not actually need? Not necessarily.  But reflect on these questions:  Even if we can afford to buy something, do we really have the time and energy to use and maintain the item? Also, might we become overly attached to our possession?  Could our attachment to material things cause us to act  like the young man who turned down Jesus' invitation to expand his service to God?  (Read Mark 10:17-22)    How much better it is for us to lead a simple life and spend our precious time and strength in doing God's will!

Next time: Are You Maintaining Your "Large Shield of Faith"? - KEEP A FIRM HOLD ON YOUR SHIELD OF FAITH

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