All that is not eternal is eternally out of date. – C.S. Lewis

Do you love the Olympics? Are you watching them this year? Athletes on the podium at this year’s Winter Olympics will be awarded the most expensive medals in the history of the Games thanks to soaring precious metals prices. More than 700 gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the world’s top winter sports athletes taking part in events from skiing, hockey, figure skating and curling. While the sentimental value is immeasurable, in pure cash terms, those medals are worth more than ever before. Since the Olympic Games in Paris in July 2024, the prices of gold and silver have skyrocketed some 107% and 200%. Those huge gains mean that, based on the metal’s prices alone, gold medals are now worth around $2,300, more than double their value at the Paris Olympics. 2^nd place silver medals are worth almost $1,400, or three times their value from just two years ago.

Here’s the shocker – though they cost more – they’re breaking. Three medals so far, (though it may be more by the end of the Olympics), have broken. American skier Breezy Johnson won gold in the women’s downhill event on Sunday, February 8^th. Just minutes later she warned second-place finisher Emma Aicher not to jump while wearing her medal. Johnson later showed her broken medal to reporters. 

1 Peter 1:7 warns that, So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Last week a group of us attended the Chicago Auto Show. I have to be honest; I was enamored with some of the expensive sports cars. The Show has a Supercar Gallery showcasing ultra-high-performance vehicles priced well over $100,000. It’s cool to see a Lamborghini or an Aston Martin (I’ve got a bit of James Bond in me) but I’ll never own one. Here’s the most important truth – every car there – even the most expensive and luxurious ones will one day be rust heaps. 

Please understand, it’s not wrong to have nice or expensive things. God’s Word never commands us to be paupers or to take a vow of poverty. The temptation and struggle that we all face (including yours truly) is not to make sure that we own things but that they don’t own us. 

We all face the temptation of materialism which refers to prioritizing material wealth and possessions over eternal and spiritual values. This temptation is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it’s often depicted as an obstacle to a Christ-honoring life. Materialism can lead us away from God and into idolatry, fostering a reliance on the temporal goods of this world rather than God and divine providence.

Money and what it can buy has always been tremendously important to human beings. The oldest handwritten document ever discovered in England was about a personal loan. In 57 A.D., a freed Roman slave named Tibullus promised to repay another freed slave, Gratus, the sum of 105 denarii, or in today’s money perhaps around $4,500. 

It’s not money or material things that are a problem. The Bible never says it’s wrong to have money. It’s the love of money that’s spiritually deadly. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul warned Timothy and believers at Ephesus to fight the world’s tendency to crave material things. Instead, we are to pursue godliness with contentment. It’s common to hear people say, you can’t take it with you or I never saw a U-Haul following a hearse and that’s true. What we don’t talk about enough, even among Christ-followers, is that you can send true riches on ahead. 

Materialism not only disrupts our relationship with God, but it also hinders our spiritual growth and service to others. In a world saturated with consumerism, the allure of materialism is pervasive. The culture of self-gratification and the relentless pursuit of wealth have led many Christians to lose the focus on eternal values, prioritizing temporal satisfaction instead. The Lord Jesus powerfully addressed this stating, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). His words underscore the fleeting nature of earthly possessions and the eternal significance of spiritual investments.

The Bible provides clear guidance on combating materialism through a Christ-centered approach that emphasizes contentment, management, and eternal priorities. As with other temptations, we must fight our own sinful flesh. It begins with…

Contentment in Jesus Christ

Contentment is foundational to overcoming materialism. Paul unpacks that in Philippians 4:11-13. True contentment never comes from having more. It only comes from a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and trusting in His provision.

Faithful management

Everything that you and I have is a gift from God. We are managers of His blessings, recognizing that all of our possessions ultimately belong to Him. Faithful spiritual management means that we use our resources to serve and glorify the Savior, meet the needs of others, and advance the kingdom of God. Proverbs 3:9 challenges believers to, Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. Scripture encourages generosity and the prioritization of God’s work.

Seeking Eternal Treasures

To combat the temporal focus of materialism, believers must continually fix their eyes on eternity. Too many of us live for this world’s “Happy Meals.” We must redirect our hearts from earthly riches to true eternal riches found in Christ. 

Guarding our hearts through God’s Word

Scripture serves as a safeguard against the deceitfulness of materialism. By reading, studying and meditating on Scripture and aligning our values with God’s Word, Christ-followers can resist the temptations of materialism and live a meaningful life filled with obedience and faithfulness.

Generosity and Service

The antidote to greed is generosity. Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus’ teaching: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Generosity reflects God’s character and serves as a powerful testimony of His love. We must follow our Heavenly Father’s example. God is generous to us and wants us to be generous. Stinginess hurts us and poisons our souls. Not only that, serving others with a selfless attitude shifts our focus from personal gain to fulfilling God’s purposes. 

Until we take our last breath, we will be tempted by materialism. It’s through obedience, faith and contentment that we can redirect our focus from the decaying, breaking stuff of this world to eternal treasures.