A thousand dollars

Interesting conversation at lunch today about why I don’t purchase expensive items. What’s the most expensive item I own? My car. Other than my car – not handbag (gift from mum or never more than $200), not handphone (free), not watch (gift from parents), not shoes (not more than $150), not laptop (gift from Adrian). Apparently, I’m the exception and not a norm. 

I couldn’t explain why I don’t have expensive items. An expensive item like a S$15K watch, or a S$5K handbag from one of the high end shops (apparently you can only get cloth products with 1 grand. I’ll need more money for a pvc/leather item). Yikes! My bag is “disintegrating” – the strap is fraying and the leather is starting to crumble. I am thinking of getting a new bag from one of the high end shops. I am prepared to part with S$1K… but I’m keeping my expectations low since I can only get cloth bags.

Reading the scriptures tonight reminded me how there is a strong pull towards following the course of the world. I think that my faith has influenced my perspective on branded goods. Tonight, searching the scriptures reminded me of the following:

1) Do not place too much emphasis on the outward appearance. Do not let your adornment merely be outward. Let it be the incorruptible beauty of the gentle and quiet spirit that is precious to God.

2) Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing. The woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

3) There are many poor people who will benefit more from the money that I earn. She extends her hands to the poor and reaches out to the needy.

4) It is better to be a wise steward of the money that I have been blessed with, than to spend it foolishly. She considers a field and buys it, from her profit she plants a vineyard.

As a related thought to my previous entry, perhaps this power that God gives enables us to rise above the deadness of sin and the control that the ways of the world has in our lives. Perhaps this power is experienced in us breaking free from the bondage of sin. I’ll reconsider spending S$1K on a bag. That needs some serious thought.

What is the exceeding greatness of His power?

I’m amazed at God’s gift to each child of His. He gives us power. The same power which He used to raise Christ from the dead is available to me. This thought is too lofty for me. I cannot begin to fathom what this power is, what it feels like, how it manifests in my life. 

According to the various translations of the Bible, this power is described as “endless strength”, “mighty”, “incredible greatness”. The power that raised Christ from the dead is definitely not ordinary… in a way I feel that it’s reasonable for me not to understand that power. It’s extent is too great to be felt in the ordinary situations of life.

Yet, Paul writes that God’s power is available for all who believe. The same capacity of strength that resurrected Christ is given to each child of God. I wonder if the strength of my own spirit has hindered me from experiencing this power. The stubborn will, the ‘workaholism’, the ‘never-say-die’ attitude… could this strength be blocking God out of my life. Perhaps my life hasn’t been tough enough for me to plead for this strength. Perhaps this strength is already mine but I have not recognised that it is from God.

I don’t think we were meant to be weak. We definitely weren’t meant to live a pathetic life. I pray the same prayer in Ephesians – that God will give me the Spirit of understanding, to know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.