Possessions!

March 10, 2026

Scripture

“Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked.  For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.” Psalm 37:16-17

Possessions!

Sometimes our things begin to have a higher priority in our life than is healthy.  In a like manner, sometimes the things that belong to another person begin to have more influence in our life than is holy. 

Even when I don’t have the financial means, I still want something I cannot afford.  Even when I know the other person has something they acquired through a less than honest way, I still want it.  I remember my father telling me, “People will always spend just a little more than they earn no matter how much they earn.”  We want more things! 

In Psalm 37, David acknowledges the desire for more often begins when I compare what I have or don’t have with what those who have gained their possessions through wicked ways have acquired.  In Psalm 37:16-17 David writes; “Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked.  For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”

Comparing ourselves to the wicked will not lead us to a better life.  Comparing our collection of things to those who have accumulated possessions through less than God-honoring ways will not make us more popular or healthy or content or happy.  Comparing our small number of possessions to the abundant possessions of the wicked will not help us achieve a closer relationship with the Lord God or with other people.  Our possessions and our prosperity do not matter near as much as we think. 

David tells us that in the final accounting of our life, the wicked will be destroyed and have no place, no prosperity, no position, and no possessions.  In contrast, those who love the Lord God will be the recipients of God’s provision, God’s promises, God’s presence, God’s power, and God’s peace in this life and in the life to come.

Although we often say things don’t matter, there are still times when we slip into believing they do matter a great deal.  David knows that what matters most is to know the Lord God; to know the Lord God will provide for us, the Lord God will protect us, and the Lord God will be always present with us. 

In Psalm 37:17 David writes; “…but the Lord upholds the righteous.”  A bit later in the Psalm, David reminds us that the Lord God will take us by the hand and hold us up.  In Psalm 37:24 David writes; “…for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

The Lord God promises to uphold us; i.e., to protect us, to provide for us, and to be present with us.

+The Lord God will protect you! 

In another song, David shares the promise of the Lord God’s protection.  In Psalm 91:3-5 David writes; “For he will deliver you from the snare of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence;he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and defense.  You will not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day…”

+The Lord God will provide for you! 

The Apostle Paul reminded the church in first century Corinth that the Lord God will provide for those who love and trust Him.  In II Corinthians 9:8 Paul writes; “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

+The Lord God will be present with you! 

The last thing Jesus says to the disciples before He ascends into heaven is a promise of His presence.  It was a promise for the disciples in the first century and for Christ-followers in any age.  In Matthew 28:20 Jesus says; “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Lord God promises to uphold us by protecting us, providing for us, and being present with us.  The Lord’s promises are always more important than your possessions.

Reflect

What one possession do you sometimes place more value upon than is healthy or helpful or holy for you?  Has that thing ever caused some interference in your relationship with another person?  Has the thought of loosing that thing ever caused you to be filled with anxiety or fear or unreasonable sadness?  If Jesus asked you to sell that one thing and give the money to a local food pantry, how much would you struggle with obeying Jesus?

Pray

Lord God, when you carefully search my heart you know there are occasions when I place more value on my possessions than I should.  Search my heart today and reveal to me where my priority on things is getting in the way of obeying and trusting you and/or is interfering with my relationship with another person.  Show me the truth about my priorities and my possessions.  Show me a way to shift my priorities to you as Lord over my life as well as Lord over my things.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Act

Read Psalm 91.  Write down a list of all the ways the Lord God will protect you.  Read II Corinthians 9:6-14.  Write down a list of how the Lord God has provided for you in the last three months.  Read Matthew 28:16-20.  Write down a list of how the Lord God has revealed His presence to you in the last month.