Are You a Chronic Window Shopper? This Devo Is for You.
Luke 12 // A Devotional
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34 ESV)
Coveting is all about seeking satisfaction from things instead of from the Lord.
It’s the foundation for “window shopping,” which most of us do online nowadays. We don’t need it. We probably don’t even have enough money to buy it, but we shop nonetheless because it adds dopamine to our day.
When you care too much about stuff, you will begin to sacrifice your relationship with God and the people around you to get it.
If money is your treasure, you will attack anything that hinders its accumulation.
You will become critical of others and their spending habits, even when it’s not your money.
If you’re married, you will become critical of every unnecessary penny spent by your spouse.
If you’re in business, you will become obsessive about maximizing profits at the expense of people.
In your spare time, you may find yourself thinking through your wishlist or online shopping.
When you find yourself beginning to covet things (and we all go through seasons of this), that’s a sign a crack is forming in your heart. Your heart is becoming divided. When this happens, we must take immediate action.
David writes in his famous psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps 23:1 ESV). It’s also translated as “I have all that I need” (NLT) and “I lack nothing” (NIV).
Do you believe that? Does Jesus have your full heart?
Are you looking to Him to make a bad day better, or are you looking to stuff?
Our Response: Putting Feet to Faith
Are you constantly thinking about what you should buy next? Are you frequently “window-shopping” online or in-store? Are you frequently drawn to ads for products?
3 Steps to Overcome a Coveting Heart
- Memorize and recite Psalm 23:1 (or your verse/passage of choice) whenever your mind begins to drift toward your wishlist: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
- Stop shopping. Avoid buying anything except the essentials. It’s hard to break the cycle of coveting when you’re still giving yourself little dopamine hits.
- If ads are causing you problems, stay off social media or wherever you’re being targeted. If you can’t avoid it, establish strict boundaries around your usage and avoid clicking ads.
Coveting, if left unchecked, will monopolize your thoughts and destroy your peace. Don’t let it.
Take charge and submit your full, undivided mind and heart to the Lord. Only then will you find the fulfillment you seek.
New devotionals are posted every Friday.
Follow me and “The Gospel Conversation” to make sure you don’t miss any.
Click here for previous devotionals like this.
