The Hindrance

 “What do you see as the greatest hindrance to the cause of Christ in America today?” As I have traveled over the years, it has been interesting to gather the responses of many pastors and Christian workers to whom I have posed this question. The responses nearly always include the words “materialism” and “complacency.” Sadly, this consensus is overwhelmingly confirmed by a cursory glance over the ecclesiastical landscape.

By most of the world’s standard, even those Americans who consider themselves crushed into the lower strata of our social and economical makeup, are rich in material wealth. We Christians, like our neighbors, tend to define economic success, not as having all that we need, but as being able to obtain all that we want.

 Scriptures confirm that our attitudes toward the “things” of this world have a bearing on our zeal for the Lord. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1John 2:15). Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5). “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33).”

 The more we have, the more we have to love... And with so much to love, perhaps we should be reminded that the first and greatest commandment is “...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37).”

Dear friends, I’m not suggesting that we dispose of all of our earthly belongings and take a vow of poverty. But, in the physical absence of the Savior, we are His ambassadors to the masses! We should hold the treasures of this world very loosely, that we may acquire an unhindered zeal for the Lord and a desire for the treasures of heaven, “...where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20).”