Hi there. This might sound completely silly, but do you think it's ok to thank God for things that make us happy? I don't mean like thanking him for my mum, or my dog, or the people in my life, but to actually thank him for THINGS.
I know we're not meant to be focused on the materialistic but I'm really grateful to God for my favourite TV program, for my favourite Teddy, for the things that I buy in my life that make me happy. I like to buy and make things, and they bring me a LOT of joy.
Do you think that's ok? I'm guessing it probably isn't because it might make me like the wealthy man, with all his material objects, and a camel has more of a chance of passing through the eye of a needle.
I could never love my material objects more than God, but I am really grateful to be able to buy/ collect/ receive great joy from the books, toys, items that I do have. And I know it sounds silly, but i thank God that things like that exist. I don't have friends, and i struggle to get joy from the people in my life, so I really appreciate the things in my life that do bring me joy.
I massively respect your work, so I thought I'd ask your perspective on the matter.
Thank you.
everything we own the Lord has allowed us to enjoy, so yes, we absolutely should thank Him for all our blessings! we don't need to feel guilty for being blessed by Him. however, it's important not to let these things become idols in our lives. if they become too important to us, they may take away our attention from the Lord, and waste resources He may have given us to bless others. we are only temporary stuarts of the things God has blessed us with.
the verse about the rich man and the camel (Mark 10:23-27) is speaking about a wall entrance called the "eye of the needle." merchants had to remove all their goods from the camel's back for the animal to fit through the entrance hole. rich people have a much harder time finding God's salvation, because all their physical needs are met and they live in luxury. they often rely on their money/ possessions to get through life, not realizing their spiritual need for the Lord. but they still have the chance to accept Him (verse 26-27).
so i would say, find your joy in the Lord first and foremost! continually thank Him for all the ways He blesses your life every day. and be willing to sacrifice and give up some of those things if He calls you to, for His glory.
"Store up your treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." -Matthew 6:20-21 💗🕊️
