The Hustle Gospel: Lies of Work and Worthనమూనా

YOU ARE WHAT YOU OWN: THE LIE OF ACCUMULATION

There is a prevailing “Myth of More” in Western culture, which leads to a life of accumulation. We’ve been discipled into this mindset since we were kids. If you get one Lego set, well, it’s definitely better to have 2, and 3 is far better than two. You want the bowl with more ice cream, more toys, more friends, more privileges, more allowance, and more time added to your curfew. When you enter the working world, you want more responsibilities, more recognition, more pay. We’re constantly driven by more, more, more our whole lives.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NLT) makes it clear, “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Jesus tells us, “man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 NIV). We are instructed to contemplate His word day and night to gain understanding and wisdom. Wisdom and understanding from God brings security, peace of mind, confidence, and teaches us that God provides all that we need (Matthew 6:33). The God type of wisdom will push out the need to accumulate, being depressed over what we think we lack, giving into pain, feeling unloved or left out, lamenting over inadequate clothing or housing or even education, income, or skill.

Likewise, one of the dangers accumulation brings about is a self-dependent outlook rather than a Christ-dependent outlook on life, and when we become self-sufficient, we thank or applaud ourselves rather than thanking God for His provision. We build an identity that does not include Him at the center. We have deceived ourselves. Realistically, we can do nothing on our own, and our identity is only built on who we are in Christ. The works, things we do or say, are a reflection of this identity in Christ. Knowing we are fully sufficient in Christ Jesus is a game-changer! Knowing we are complete, needing nothing else, leads to thankfulness, and this perspective of gratitude is the pivotal step in circumventing the temptation of wanting more.

Ask Yourself:

-How does having “more” (of any item or attribute) affect my self-worth?

-How could my perspective and actions change knowing that Christ is sufficient and that I am sufficient in Him?

-Consider someone in my life who displays contentment. What does that look like in how they live, how they act, and how they engage others?

Pause to Pray: Use 1 Timothy 6:6 to lead you into prayer. Father, forgive me for wanting to do everything on my own, for buying into the myth of more... Lead me to godliness with contentment… Amen.

Identity Reset: Replace “I am what I own” with “I am content in Christ.” Complete this sentence, filling in the final blank with something God has blessed you with that you are grateful for. Let gratitude train your heart toward contentment rather than comparison.

"Even if I never acquire another _____________ again, I am still completely content and satisfied in Christ because _____________.”

Take a Big Step! I commit to one month of no more _____________. Each day, I will start by thanking the Lord for His provision. At the end of the month, I will evaluate what I gained and how I have grown.

Find more resources at www.whoisgrace.com/READ.