Beware of Stuff
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Derrel Strickland
Material possessions, talents, and burdens—what Pastor Strickland calls "stuff"—can either bless or hinder our spiritual journey based on how they are prioritized and used. By trusting God’s provision, offering our gifts to Him, avoiding distractions, and remembering that earthly possessions are temporary, we can align our lives with His eternal purpose.
Additional Info
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How to Handle the "Stuff" in Life: A Biblical Perspective
Life is full of "stuff." This word might seem simple, but it serves as a powerful metaphor for material possessions, talents, burdens, and distractions that can either enhance or hinder our spiritual journey. Understanding how to manage the "stuff" in our lives is essential for aligning our priorities with God’s purpose. Here are five timeless principles to help you approach life’s "stuff" with wisdom and faith.
1. Don’t Worry About Your Stuff
In Genesis 45, Pharaoh told Joseph’s family not to worry about their belongings when moving to Egypt because they would be provided with the best the land had to offer. Similarly, in Matthew 6:27-33, Jesus assures His followers that God will take care of their needs, encouraging them not to be anxious about food, clothing, or other necessities. The lesson is clear: God is our provider. When we seek His kingdom first, He promises to supply everything we truly need. This doesn’t mean material possessions are inherently bad, but our trust should be in God, not in accumulating "stuff." Instead of focusing on what we lack, we are called to trust that God has more than enough to meet our needs.
2. Bring Your Stuff to God
In Exodus 36, we see the Israelites bringing their resources and skills to help build the Tabernacle. They gave so generously that Moses had to tell them to stop because they had more than enough. This story reminds us that whatever talents or resources we have, no matter how small they seem, can be used for God’s purposes. Ephesians 4:15-16 highlights the importance of every member of the church contributing their gifts. Just as the Tabernacle was built through teamwork, the church grows when everyone offers their unique "stuff" to God. Whether it’s time, talents, or material resources, bringing what we have to God allows Him to multiply it for His glory.
3. Don’t Hide Among Your Stuff
In 1 Samuel 10, Saul was chosen to be king but was found hiding among the baggage—or "stuff." This story illustrates how fear, insecurity, or even the distractions of life can cause us to shy away from God’s calling. Just like Saul, we might feel unworthy or overwhelmed by the responsibilities God places before us. However, God knows exactly where we are, just as He knew where Adam was hiding in the Garden of Eden. The challenge is to step forward, trust in God’s plan, and not let "stuff"—whether it’s fear, doubt, or material distractions—hold us back from fulfilling our purpose.
4. Staying by the Stuff is Just as Important
In 1 Samuel 30, David decreed that those who stayed behind to guard the supplies during battle would share equally in the spoils of victory. This principle offers encouragement to those who feel sidelined or unable to take on prominent roles in ministry or life. Everyone has a role to play, and those who "stay by the stuff" are just as important as those on the front lines. Whether you’re offering prayer, support, or simply being a steady presence, your contribution matters. God sees your faithfulness, and He values those who quietly serve just as much as those in visible positions.
5. You Can’t Take Your Stuff with You
Luke 17:26-37 reminds us of the temporary nature of material possessions. Jesus warns that, just as in the days of Noah and Lot, people will be caught up in their daily lives, focused on eating, drinking, and building, only to leave it all behind when judgment comes. The message is sobering: nothing we accumulate on earth will follow us into eternity. Instead of clinging to "stuff," we are called to focus on spiritual readiness and eternal treasures. Managing our resources wisely and using them for God’s purposes ensures that our lives have lasting impact.
Managing Your Stuff vs. Letting Your Stuff Manage You
A profound truth is this: if you don’t manage your "stuff," your "stuff" will manage you. Whether it’s material possessions or spiritual gifts, everything we have is a blessing from God. However, these blessings can become burdens if they distract us from our true purpose. The key is faithfulness. When we offer our "stuff" to God—whether it’s our time, abilities, or resources—He can do more with it than we ever could on our own. Even if you feel worn out or limited in what you can offer, simply staying faithful and "staying by the stuff" can have a profound impact.
Conclusion: Putting Stuff in Perspective
Life’s "stuff" can either serve as a tool for God’s kingdom or a distraction from it. The choice is ours. By trusting God’s provision, offering our gifts, stepping into His calling, and keeping an eternal perspective, we can ensure that our "stuff" enhances, rather than hinders, our spiritual journey.
Remember, one day we’ll leave all of this "stuff" behind. What will matter most is how we used it to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Are you managing your "stuff" wisely, or is it managing you?
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together as a family. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
1. Trusting God with Your Needs
In Genesis 45 and Matthew 6, we are reminded not to worry about "stuff" because God is our provider. What are some ways you’ve seen God provide for your needs, even when you were worried or uncertain?
2. Offering What You Have to God
Exodus 36 describes how the Israelites gave generously for the building of the Tabernacle, bringing not only material goods but also their skills and abilities. What gifts or "stuff" can you offer to God’s work, even if it seems small?
3. Avoiding Distractions from God's Call
Saul hid among the "stuff" when called to be king in 1 Samuel 10. What "stuff" (fears, distractions, or responsibilities) might be keeping you from stepping into God’s calling for your life?
4. Recognizing the Value of Every Role
In 1 Samuel 30, David declared that those who stayed by the "stuff" were just as valuable as those on the front lines. How does this encourage you to see the importance of seemingly small or behind-the-scenes roles in God’s kingdom?
5. Holding Material Things Loosely
Luke 17 reminds us that material possessions won’t follow us into eternity. How can we practice holding our "stuff" loosely and focus more on eternal priorities?
6. Managing Your Stuff vs. Being Managed by It
The sermon emphasized that if we don’t manage our "stuff," it will manage us. Are there areas in your life where "stuff" (possessions, responsibilities, or desires) feels overwhelming or out of control? How can you bring those areas into alignment with God’s purpose?
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1. Genesis 45:17-20 – Pharaoh Tells Joseph’s Brothers Not to Worry About Their “Stuff”
This passage occurs during a pivotal moment in Israel’s early history. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, had risen to a position of power in Egypt as Pharaoh’s second-in-command. In the context of a severe famine, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers and invites his father, Jacob, and the rest of his family to move to Egypt, where they will be provided for. Pharaoh’s instruction to “not worry about their goods (stuff)” reflects the abundance of Egypt’s resources under Joseph’s management and Pharaoh’s generosity. Historically, this marks the beginning of Israel’s migration into Egypt, which would eventually lead to their enslavement and subsequent Exodus.In the sermon’s context, this passage emphasizes God’s provision through Pharaoh’s wealth, illustrating that material needs should not be a source of anxiety when we trust in divine provision.
2. Matthew 6:25-33 – Jesus’ Teaching on Anxiety and Seeking the Kingdom First
This New Testament passage is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching about living in alignment with God’s will. Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about daily necessities like food, clothing, or shelter, using examples from nature (e.g., the lilies of the field and the birds of the air) to demonstrate God’s care for all creation. The command to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” redirects focus from material concerns to spiritual priorities.Set in the historical context of first-century Judea, a region under Roman occupation, many people lived in poverty and faced daily struggles to meet basic needs. Jesus’ reassurance of God’s provision would have been a radical and comforting message of hope. The sermon uses this passage to stress that God’s abundance far surpasses human limitations and that trust in Him brings peace.
3. Exodus 36:1-7 – The Israelites Bring More Than Enough for the Tabernacle
This passage describes the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that symbolized God’s presence among His people during their wilderness journey after the Exodus. Skilled craftsmen, led by Bezalel and Oholiab, were tasked with building the Tabernacle according to God’s instructions. The people were so generous in contributing materials and resources for the project that Moses had to command them to stop giving.Historically, this event highlights the Israelites’ gratitude and obedience to God after their deliverance from Egypt. It also demonstrates God’s ability to stir hearts toward generosity and communal worship. The sermon uses this example to show that when individuals bring their “stuff” (resources, talents, and gifts) to God, it can achieve something far greater than they could accomplish individually.
4. 1 Samuel 10:20-22 – Saul Hides Among the “Stuff”
This passage unfolds during the selection of Saul as Israel’s first king. The prophet Samuel gathers the tribes of Israel, and through the casting of lots, Saul is chosen by God. However, when it is time to present him to the people, Saul is found hiding among the baggage (or “stuff”). His reluctance reflects his insecurity and fear of stepping into God’s calling.Historically, this moment reflects a transitional period for Israel. Up until this point, the nation had been led by judges and prophets, but the people demanded a king to be like other nations. Saul’s hesitance foreshadows his later struggles as a leader. In the sermon, this story serves as a cautionary example of how “stuff” (whether physical possessions, responsibilities, or emotional baggage) can become an obstacle to answering God’s call.
5. 1 Samuel 30:21-25 – David Honors Those Who “Stay by the Stuff”
This passage recounts an event during David’s time as a fugitive, before he became king. After defeating the Amalekites, David and his men recover their families and possessions. However, 200 of his men had stayed behind with the supplies because they were too exhausted to join the battle. When the victorious warriors return, some argue that those who stayed behind should not share in the spoils. David, however, insists that everyone shares equally, establishing a principle that those who “stay by the stuff” are just as valuable as those on the front lines.Historically, this story reflects David’s leadership and fairness, qualities that helped him unify Israel. It also highlights the importance of support roles in any community or mission. The sermon uses this passage to encourage those who feel sidelined or less significant, affirming that their contributions are equally important in God’s eyes.
6. Luke 17:26-33 – The Temporality of “Stuff” in the Days of Noah and Lot
In this passage, Jesus speaks about the end times, comparing the days of Noah and Lot to the coming of the Son of Man. In both stories, people were consumed with everyday activities—eating, drinking, buying, and selling—when sudden judgment came. Jesus warns His listeners not to cling to earthly possessions or look back, as Lot’s wife did, but to be ready for His return.The historical references to Noah (Genesis 6–9) and Lot (Genesis 19) remind readers of God’s judgment and the fleeting nature of material possessions. Lot’s wife, who looked back at Sodom, symbolizes the danger of attachment to worldly “stuff.” The sermon uses this passage to challenge listeners to focus on eternal priorities rather than becoming overly attached to temporary things.
Conclusion
The biblical references in this sermon are deeply rooted in historical contexts that span from the patriarchs to the early church. Each passage illustrates a different aspect of how “stuff” (whether material possessions, talents, or distractions) can either hinder or enhance our spiritual lives. By understanding these references in their historical and theological settings, listeners are better equipped to apply the timeless lessons of trust, generosity, faithfulness, and eternal perspective to their own lives.
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Lesson Title: "What’s in Your Stuff?"
Opening Activity (5 minutes):
What Is Stuff?
Ask the kids: "What do you think 'stuff' means? What kind of stuff do you have?"
Let them share examples like toys, clothes, books, etc.
Explain: "Stuff is anything we own or anything we can do, like our talents or time."
Say: "Today, we’ll talk about how God wants us to think about and use our 'stuff.'"
Bible Story (5-7 minutes):
1. God Provides What We Need (Genesis 45:17-20)
Share the story of Joseph and Pharaoh in simple words:
"Joseph’s family needed food during a famine. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, told Joseph to bring his family to Egypt and not to worry about their stuff because Pharaoh would give them everything they needed."Explain: "Just like Pharaoh provided for Joseph’s family, God takes care of us and gives us what we need too."
2. Use Your Stuff for God (Exodus 36:1-7)
Share: "When the Israelites were building a church (called the Tabernacle), everyone brought their stuff to help. They brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop!"
Explain: "God gives us all different gifts, like talents, time, or possessions, and He wants us to use them to help others and show love to Him."
Discussion Questions (5 minutes):
What is one thing you have that you can thank God for?
What is a talent or skill you have that you can use for God?
How can you share your "stuff" to help others this week?
Activity: Stuff Sharing Chain (5 minutes)
Give each child a strip of paper and crayons or markers.
Ask them to draw or write one thing they can share with someone else (e.g., toys, kindness, time, etc.).
Tape the strips together to form a chain.
Explain: "When we all use our 'stuff' for God, we’re stronger together, like this chain!"
Key Verse:
Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all this stuff will be added to you."
Help children memorize this verse by saying it out loud together.
Closing Prayer:
"Dear God, thank you for giving us everything we need. Help us to use our 'stuff' to show love to You and others. Remind us not to worry about what we don’t have but to trust You to take care of us. Amen."
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Recently I was asked to preach or to re preach a topic that I've preached a few times over the years. Normally I don't take requests and I was not going to do it this time. But it seemed that I could not get away from this thought. The more I meditated on it, the more I thought about it. I became convinced that this was a message for this season.
It is so appropriate.
Did any of you feel stuffed on Thursday?
Any of you feel stuffed on stuffing? Now we call it dressing, but still feel stuffed. Did any of you go shopping on Black Friday? Bless your heart.
You go looking for stuff that you hope will be a blessing to those and those of you that stayed home and went to Amazon looking for stuff that would be appreciated for Christmas. Well, today I want to talk about stuff. Stuff can be a blessing or it can become a curse. It all depends on how it's used. The few times that I've preached overseas.
One of the things I have to check with my person that's going to be translating, number one, they don't understand Southern English. So I have to explain a few things. But another thing I have to do is try to find a word or make sure of the topic that it is applicable to those preaching, listening. And I know that stuff is a word that is not even used in the new translations of the Bible, but it's used 16 times in the King James Version. And I tell you what, I know what stuff is.
Do you have any stuff? I mean, it looks different to different people, but we all have our stuff. We can call it Different Things. And again, it's found 16 times in the Old Testament in the King James Version. So I figure 10 minutes times 16, we should be out by 2:00.
No, no, I'm just teasing because I want you to know, you just hold on, the stuff will still be there when you get out of church. Stuff.
I'll only be addressing five this morning. The first one is one that I've not included in any of my other messages on stuff, but I was impressed to add this one in. See, sometimes we're quick to remind God that we don't have a lot of Stuff Any of you complain to God? Hey, God, hey, I need a new car. I need a new this, need a new that.
Because I don't have a lot of stuff. Now, since I've always been poor, I never thought too much about that. But I have thought a lot of times I don't have a whole lot of ability to give God. I don't have the stuff that some people have, you know, doesn't it make so many sick ways some people can sing? I mean, you know, boy, I wished I had that stuff.
I wished I could do that. But we don't have that stuff. I'm so thankful that for Virgil and Rich and Charlie, they allow me to sing with them. And the best part about it is, they tell me, find your part. Now, notice I did not say find the right part.
They don't even tell me to find the melody. They just say, find the part, and then we will find our parts to make your parts sound better.
Because, see, I sing by letter. I just open up and let her fly. I don't know anything about music, but they sing with me and they make me sound better. But sometimes I'm like, you say, man, I wish I had more stuff to offer to God.
We don't have a lot of abilities, but how many thinks that the God that created this whole universe can give you whatever stuff you need to have? See in Genesis, chapter 45, interesting story. It's when the nation of Israel wasn't even Israel yet. If Jacob, he changed his name, but he was still in Egypt. Or, excuse me, he was still in Promised Land.
And famine came. And Joseph, who had been sold into slavery, was in Egypt. And he had made friends with Pharaoh. He was second in command. And then rough times hit.
And when rough times hit, it's tough. I mean, they didn't have any food, so they sent Jacob, sent his boys down to Egypt to see if they could get some food. Then this is after Joseph had revealed himself to his brothers. Notice what it says in chapter 45, verse 17. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, say to your brothers, do this.
Load your beast and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best land of Egypt, and ye shall eat of the fat of the land. And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, do this. Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones, your wives, and bring your father and come. Have no concern for your goods. Now, the King James Version says, do not worry about your stuff for the best of all the land for Egypt is yours.
Don't worry about your stuff. Now, over in the New Testament, the Book of Matthew, it tells us a parallel passage. Jesus speaking, chapter 6, verse 27. And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you so anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They neither toil nor spend. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the fields, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious.
Say, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things. The Gentiles look for all that stuff.
How many know? Gentiles look for something to eat. They look for something to be clothed. How many know? God's concerned about that?
I said, God's concerned about you having something to eat. He's concerned about you having clothes. He said, for the Gentiles seek after those things. And your heavenly Father knows that you need but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And all these things, all this stuff will be added to you.
Now let's go back to the story. Pharaoh was very, very wealthy. He basically owned everything in Egypt. Yeah, where all the pyramids were made. He owned all of that.
He was very, very powerful. And he told Joseph, go get your folks. Tell them not to worry about bringing what stuff with them because I've got more stuff than they know what to do with.
Then Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and all this stuff will be added to you. Now, notice, God never condemned anybody for eating. He did not condemn them for needing clothing. He said, everybody needs that. But you need to understand something the God that created this universe telling us, don't worry about the stuff.
Don't worry about the stuff. Because I got more stuff than you know what to do with. See, sometimes we look and say, I don't have this, I don't have that. But Pharaoh told them, go get them and bring them back and tell them not to worry about the stuff. Because he was wealthy, he was powerful.
But compared to God Almighty, Pharaoh was a pauper. He didn't have nothing compared to God. And compared to his power, he didn't have beans. He was a wimp. But the God of all creation, you know what he's telling you this morning?
Don't worry about your Stuff, if you seek first kingdom of God, and all these other things will be added to you. So today we need to understand that he is Jehovah Jireh. He is Jehovah Shalom. And I can tell you that means Jehovah of peace. God has the ability to give you peace in the midst of desperate situations.
Why? Because he said, don't worry about the stuff, even peace. I'll give you that as well. The second time we find the word stuff that we're looking at today is found in Exodus chapter 36. Exodus chapter 36.
I think this one may be my favorite because read what it says in verse two, where it says, and Moses called Bezalel and oh, and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him to come to. To do the work. Now, I want to remind you, this was at the time that he was giving Moses the instruction on how to build a tabernacle. Now, the tabernacle was the portable church. So he's telling him how to build the church.
He said, get these people and get them all together. And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had bought for doing the work of the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him free will offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came each from the task that he was doing and said to Moses, the people brings much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do. So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp. Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.
So the people were restrained from bringing. For the material they had was sufficient to do all the work and more. Now that word, their material is translated in King James. They got more than enough stuff. They got stuff that they got more than enough.
Now, I've been in church all my life, and I have been a few times when they took a second offering. Not many. Not many. I'm a firm believer that God's people don't need to be beggars. But I have been in churches at times where I said, well, we need some more money.
Pass the plate again. But I've never had the pastor stand up there and say, folks, I'm sorry, but we got too much money.
We got too much stuff. Don't drop your pittance in today. Never heard that. But this was what happened. They were building the church.
He says they had more than enough. The more than enough. Now the interesting thing, the word that's translated to Stuff there is not material. Actually, the word that's translated for stuff is occupation. Bring all your abilities, God.
Oh, you say I don't have much. We don't have to have a bunch. But when everybody gives what they have.
I said if everybody gives what they have. Now relax. We're not taking a second offering. You know, it gets tough every time we mention offering. I see somebody who tents up.
I know you don't do it intentionally, but I see you grab that pocketbook, you say you're not getting into it. No, we're not taking special offering. But I can tell you this, not just with monetary things, but with giftings, that if everybody brings their stuff, we would never be lacking in church. I said, you'd never be lacking in church. God has blessed this church greatly.
And I believe primarily because of your willingness to give to missions. Because God knows anytime we get more than enough, we're going to give it to somebody else. We're going to give to promote the kingdom. But you need to understand the talent. Now, I thought it was interesting that Moses, he was telling Moses about building the tabernacle.
How many knows that the tabernacle was the Old Testament equivalent to a church. Right? Got that? It's a portable church. Now, notice what it says over in the book of Ephesians.
The book of Ephesians. When Paul was talking to the church about building the church and he was talking about giftings, it talked about he gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers, all for the building of. Now drop down to Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 15. It says this, rather speaking the truth, in love we are to grow up in every way unto him who is the head into Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Each part, every little part.
And what was he talking about over in Exodus? He was talking about building the tabernacle. He said, you bring your gift. And he wasn't speaking necessarily about material things. How many knows that God uses material things?
How many knows God doesn't have to have your material things, but he wants it out of obedience to give. So he says, you bring your stuff, but don't leave your talents behind, don't leave your gifts behind. Because whenever God is building a church, he says, you bring your gifts, you bring your gifts, you bring your gifts and everything. What did it say there? And it says, it makes somebody grow so that it builds itself up in love.
God gives us. He gave you the stuff not to hoard, but to share. He gave you your gifts not to keep to yourself, but to share with the body of Christ. Now, the third one is found in First Samuel, chapter 10. 1 Samuel, chapter 10.
And I believe this may be my favorite one here.
When you start talking about stuff, say, I don't have much to give. How about the little boy that gave his lunch? How many knows that lunch to him was pretty much. But in the whole scope of things, a couple loaves and five fish.
But how many knows when you give them to God, it's more than enough. He takes what you give. Take your abilities. Take your abilities. Now, I mentioned an 8 o'clock service I've never heard.
And I asked Pastor Jeff and he told me he never had. I've never heard a worship leader say, listen, folks, we don't need any more musicians. We don't need any more singers. We need people if you're gifted. Now, if that's not your gift, you can give something else.
But you can, you know, understand. But what are your gifts? Bring them to God and we'll have more than enough to build a body of believers. Now here's another interesting though. In First Samuel, Chapter 10, Samuel was looking for someone to crown as king.
Now, that wasn't God's choice. It wasn't Samuel's choice. But the people wanted a king. And he even told him, you don't want a king. Cause if you get a king, you're gonna have to start paying taxes.
And we ain't quit since you're going to have to have an army because you got a king. But he was looking for a king. Let's pick up reading in verse 20. Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near. And the tribe of Benjamin was taken by Lot.
And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans. And the clan of the Matrites was taken by Lot. And Saul the son of Kesh was taken by Lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. This was the king.
They were looking for somebody to crown him king, and he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, is there man still to come? And the Lord said, now this is important. God said, behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage. Now the king James says, he's hidden himself among the stuff.
He'd hidden himself among the stuff. How many of you notice that? Sometimes stuff can become baggage. It can become a burden. I mentioned it earlier.
You know, my wife's telling me, you got too much stuff. And I said, yeah, but just think about it. I'm going to get to leave all my stuff to my kids. Then they got to figure out how to get it out. Oh, glory, too much stuff.
But this was a king or man that by lot I mean he'd won the lottery. Now you say they didn't have lottery, they were casting lots. And it came down to this man lot. He had won and they couldn't find him. They couldn't find him.
He was hiding among the stuff. Now notice God knew where he was. Hmm. This is interesting because I remember of the story over the Garden of Eden when at the close of the day when God usually walked and talked with Adam and Eve couldn't find him. He says, adam, Adam, where are you?
How many knows that God knew where he was? The Lord always knows where you are. And I'm going to tell you. You can hide the best you want to, but God knows where you are. But the amazing thing is he's not going to force you step forward.
And I don't think I've ever thought about this before until this morning when I was preaching it. What if Adam hadn't stepped forward and said, here I am.
Would our chance of salvation been totally neglected because he wasn't willing to reveal himself to God? What if Saul had said, you're not making me king?
Would it have changed history?
You say, that's kind of far fetched, Pastor. Well, let's bring it back home. What if when God called you to ask you to do something specific and you said, not me, I can hide right here under my stuff because I don't want to do it?
Do you think there's maybe the person that God intended to discover a cure for cancer might have been hiding among his stuff and refused to yield because he had something else to do, some other purpose he thought God knew? He said the Lord knew where he was.
Is there anyone out here listening, maybe you online listening today, that you remember a time that God looked for you, whether it be for salvation or ministry, but you couldn't yield to him because of the stuff. Maybe even today God is speaking to you, saying, I want you to go here. I want you to do that. But your stuff has become your God. Your stuff has become between you and God.
Now, let me just throw this out to you. This is free. This is free. This doesn't cost you anything extra. Have you ever heard anybody say, I don't go to church because of the hypocrites?
Have you ever heard anybody say that? Have you ever heard Anybody say that? I don't go to church because of all the hypocrites. Now, let me show this to you. If that hypocrite's between you and God, he's closer to God than you are.
Isn't that true? If he's separating you and God, then he's closer to God than you are. So let me remind you, don't hide in the stuff. Don't let your stuff become greater importance to you, because we need to be aware of the stuff. Don't let it stand between you and God's divine will.
Now, this next one, this next one is Jeannie's favorite. And yes, she's the one that requested this years ago.
Years ago, we took the youth snow skiing. And it didn't take long for Jeannie and Marcia to determine skiing wasn't for them. They would much rather sit by the fireplace, the lodge with all of our extra gear, with the stuff. So they were keepers of the stuff. Now, let's read.
In 1st Samuel, chapter 30, verse 21, they had an attack of the enemy, and David was responding. Then David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to follow David and who had been left at the brook Bezor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with them. And when David came near to the people, he greeted them. I can tell you.
I know some of you are older than I am. I know it's hard to believe, but some of you are.
Does the devil ever tell you that you're worthless? That you're not any good? That you wore out? You don't have to vote on that. Tell you that you can't do what you used to could do.
I can tell you I cannot do what I used to could do.
These people were tired. They wore out. Now, it doesn't necessarily mean with age, how many knows that sometimes you get spiritually exhausted, you get physically exhausted. You just can't go any further. Well, let's read on.
Let's read on. David came to them. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, because it did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children and depart. Hey, you take your wife and kids.
We don't want them. But we want the money, and you can't have it. I don't think I'd ever noticed until I was studying for this Lesson where it says they were wicked and worthless fellows. Wasn't the whole crew.
How many knows there's always going to be some that want all the recognition, they want all the reward, they want everything. And they said, you just take your wife and kids and leave the rest to us. And it says, because they did not go with us, we will not give them any spoil. Any spoil. But David said, you shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, he has preserved us and given unto our hand the ban that came against us.
Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage or stays by the stuff, they shall share alike. And he didn't just say that then. He made a law. He made a law, a statue and a rule for Israel.
From that day forward to this day, whoever stays by the stuff gets the same reward as those on the front line.
Any of you ever been in the military? Any of you had to go to the front line? There's trouble on the front line. Could you have made it without the supports from those behind you? No, they're just as important.
And sometimes we think, well, boy, that pastor, he's the one. Or that worship leader, he's the one. They're the ones that's important. No, sometimes a person is staying by the stuff.
I can tell you there's some watching today online that 20 years ago they would have been here. They would have been for the 8:00 service and the 10:00 service, and they would come tonight and they'd have been here Wednesday night. But today, some of them feel like it's passed me by. But I want to tell you something, brother and sister, the one that stays by the stuff, they're just as important as the ones on the front line. Now, I told you, my wife and Jeannie stayed by the stuff on that skiing trip.
Now, the problem is, see, when you went out to the skiing, you left all your valuables there with them. Because, you know, if you've ever been snow skiing like me, I had a lot of what they call yard sales. Now, what that means is one ski goes that way and one goes that way. And my, you know, everything had yard sales because I lost it all. I didn't have any valuables with me.
Who had my valuables?
Those that were staying by the stuff. Don't you listen to the lies of Satan that tells you that you're not important? Don't you listen and say, well, you can't preach worth two cent. He's told me that a bunch of times. But I rebuke him in the name of Jesus.
I'm still practicing.
But guess what, Brother Jeff? It's not the ones that just lean the front row that stand by the stuff. I mentioned singing a while ago. I admire all singers, but alto singers has got my hat tipped to them because they got the ugly sounding part. Now, those of you that are true altos, you know that most of the time alto by itself is not good.
But without the alto you don't have a quartet. I said without an alto you don't have anything because you don't have anybody to sing harmony. Thank God for those that stay by the stuff. Stay by the stuff. Thomas was born in 1825 in England.
He moved to the United States in 1834. He became a minister with the Wesleyan Methodists. And as a teenager he was active in the Underground Railroad. And as a minister, he was involved in churches. And he really wanted to be a missionary, but his health would not allow him to do that.
His voice would not allow him to be a minister. So he became a dentist. And he started a little company that later bore his name. You may have heard of it, See, his name was Thomas Welch, and he started Welch's Grape Juice. Gave thousands and thousands of dollars for missions work.
He would have liked to been on the front line, but guess what? He was one staying by the stuff. What about in the Bible? Remember when they let Paul down outside the walls and they let him down in a basket? Who held the rope?
I have no idea. But I can tell you what, I can guarantee you Paul was glad somebody was holding the rope. What about the four men that let down, the men that needed to be healed? We don't know their names. We don't even know what denomination they were.
But guess what? They were important because they stood by the stuff. The first time I heard a mission, one of my missionary friends told me this because I grew up in the assembly of God and I grew up in missions and heard about missions and thanked God for missions. But I've heard it all my life. They'd say, some of you can't go and some of you can't give, but the least you can do is pray.
And one of my missionary friends rebuked that. He said, that's the most you can do, is to pray. Thank God for those who stay by the stuff. Thank God for those that stay by the stuff. My last one over in the New Testament, Book of Luke, Book of Luke, chapter 17, verse 26.
So just as in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man. Now, what this is talking about is the last days. I believe that we're living in those days. I said, I believe we're living in those days. But it says they were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot. They were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But. But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, let the one who is on the housetop with his goods in the house not come down to take them away. And likewise, let the one who is in the field not return back. Remember Lot's wife? Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it. But whoever loses life will keep it.
I tell you, in that night, there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There were two women grinding together. One would be taken and the other left. If you go back up to verse 31, where it says, not come down.
Excuse me. On that day, let the one who is on the house stop with his goods in the house. Guess what the King James says. The one that's got his stuff. The house.
Stuff in the house.
Friends, you're not going to take your stuff with you.
I said, you're not going to take your stuff with you.
When Noah built the ark, it took him a hundred years to build it. And I believe he preached faithfully for a hundred years, telling people, you need to get ready because it's going to rain. Of course, they had a better question than we what's rain? They didn't know what a storm was. I mean, in Florida, we know what a hurricane is.
They said, it's going to rain. They said, you need to get ready. You need to get in the ark. So a hundred years passed, and nobody believed him.
And I'm glad they said that God closed the door. You say, why would you say that? Because I tell you I believe that Noah would have probably been a lot more compassionate than me. And I can tell you, if I'd have closed that door and some of my friends came let me in, I'd opened it up. Now you say, are you saying that you're more compassionate than God?
No, I'm not more compassionate than God, he's a lot more patient because he let it go for a hundred years. He gave them a hundred years.
And I guarantee you, for those that might have been knocking on the door, they didn't have their luggage with them. They were leaving it all behind.
He said, those that are on the housetop, their stuff's in the house. They leave it behind. Because you're going to be just like Jesus. I don't know if you think about it, if you ever thought about it, but when Jesus rose from the dead, he left his clothes, left it all. Now, I don't know where he got his next wardrobe, but one of these days you're going to leave all your stuff.
All your stuff.
My good friend Wayne Blackburn, teaching a finance course one time, he made a statement that resonated with me. He said, if you do not manage your money, your money will manage you. And I can tell you that's a true statement. But I think we could paraphrase that a little bit. If you don't manage your stuff, your stuff will manage you.
A number of years ago, I was working in a meat market. And one of our customers that was a regular customer, but he only came in every two or three months, got a big order of meat and he showed up at almost didn't recognize him. I said, what in the world happened to you? I said, you've lost so much weight. He said, Yeah, I lost 100 pounds.
I said, 100 pounds. What happened? He said, well, I went to the doctor and the doctor said I needed to lose £100. And I said, Doc, if I lose £100, I'll have to get a new wardrobe. He said, if you don't get it, lose £100, you won't need a wardrobe.
Said, so I lost £100. See, friends, I'm not going to tell you stuff's not important because we need stuff. Jesus said that, said, these things you have need of. But don't you worry about your stuff. Don't put your dependence on your stuff.
Just be faithful. An amazing thing, when you bring your stuff and your stuff and your stuff and your stuff, I can do something with it. God can do more with your stuff than you can do with it by yourself. So are you managing your stuff or is your stuff managing you? You say, I'm wore out.
I can't do much anymore. That's all right. Just hang by the stuff. Cause God will give you something to do while you're there. Even as just encouraging somebody that needs some encouragement.
He's got it Bow your heads in prayer with me. Father, I'm so thankful.
I'm so thankful, Father, that you're lord of all, including our stuff. God, I thank you for giving me stuff. A lot more stuff than I deserve. But, Father, I ask you to help me to always keep that stuff in proper perspective. Because one of these days, we're going to leave all this stuff behind.
And every one of us has a gift or gifts or abilities that you can use to build your church and help us to give what we have. And if we do that, it will be more than enough. More than enough. So, Father, we ask you to minister by your power, minister by your strength, with every head bowed, every eye closed. I realize today that I've covered five totally different points.
And each one of those points might not minister to you, but there's a good possibility. But at least one of them probably did. And if you're here today and you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there's going to be a time, whether you leave by the way of the grave or the way of the end of the earth, that we're going to leave all this stuff behind.
Are you prepared to meet him? Are you prepared to meet him?
And I know some of you are frustrated. I talk to people all the time, say, pastor, I wish I could do more. I wish I could do more. Can I encourage you just to stay by the stuff? Do what God has asked you to do.
Do what God has enabled you to do. And God's going to recognize and reward you for that.
So before we close this service, before we have a baptismal service, if there's someone here that you'd say, pastor, I want you to pray for me. Pray for me. And you can just lift up your hand. Then you put it back down. I see one.
Is there another one? Yes, there's another one. Another one, Another one. Anyone else? Heavenly Father, I pray, God, that you would minister to these that raise their hands today.
God, that you would take our stuff and let it be used for your honor and your glory. God, if there's anyone of that hand that's never received yours, their Savior, God, I pray that you would help them to seek me or someone else out, that they can share that with, that we can counsel them and minister to them and pray for them. So, Father, we ask you to have your willing way. We give you praise, give you honor, we give you glory in Jesus name.
