The real challenge is for each person to question to what extent we are driven by money or materialism. Money is a necessary resource to buy the things we need. When money, or anything else becomes more important to us than Jesus it can become a god. Idolatry is putting something else in the place of Jesus in our lives. Idols can include children, work, cars, appearance, intellectual excellence.. and Buddha etc.

The parable of the sower warns us that we can be preoccupied with other things and fail to worship Jesus. This is a danger that we all face whether rich or poor, old or young. Our spiritual growth is capable of being stunted
if we are inwardly focused and worrying or complaining about what we don’t have or dwelling on what we resent or
fear . Instead we should pray to Jesus about our worries, confess our resentment and trust Him with everything. This is true for those of us who are not earning much money at the moment. We need to seek Jesus’ help. The plight of many Americans’ financial situation is terrible but the response from rich and poor must be to seek Jesus’ help and make wise decisions based on the Word of God.

We are all tempted to look at what people do or do not have and make assumptions about their lifestyles. Sometimes we are right and often we are wrong. The Word of God needs to speak to us individually so that we can repent of sin and make necessary changes. Your words indicate that you may sense that our Jaguar is suggestive of elitism, wealth etc…and therefore I am being somewhat hypocritical and ignorant of the financial pain experienced by many. I do understand because for at least a year after Martyn bought it seven years ago I would not sit in the car because I did not want to appear rich when I was not. However, the car is now fifteen years old and is worth less than $4,000. It is running well and although we have thought of exchanging it, we can’t risk the mechanical problems that we might purchase at that price.

We all need to ask God to show us where we are idolatrous, or greedy and all the other things that we tend to be guilty of. I am guilty of making an over generalized comment regarding Americans’ focus on money, but please don’t assume anything about our Jaguar. It provides us with affordable motoring which we rely on at the moment!

Of course we are all pathetically lost and sinful and every day we struggle with our human nature. The good news is that Jesus understands and He wants to help us. He paid the price for our sin when He died on the cross, and I for one, need that forgiveness and His presence to help me get through each day. May God bless you as you find out more about Him.

If we could have 30 days of paid vacation like the Europeans, we would be overjoyed!! But the employers want us to work more – without extra pay. Not every state has the law like California, where some jobs get paid for overtime even though they are salaried. I know families where both the husband and wife each have 2 jobs so their kids can be involved in activities at school, and they can afford some of the luxeries in life.

So make sure you really know what you are talking about when you generalize that “Americans are focused on money”, as you drive your Jaguar down the street.