The big issue in today's society is our moral beliefs. We have seemed to have gotten way off base where our morals are concerned. First of all I have been noticing the commercials for all the latest toys, gadgets, and vehicles. For the most part, they have made people out to be practically mindless. I think it's demeaning, but evidently these commercials must be selling their products. It makes people's mindless reactions acceptable as long as they can afford to keep up with the Jone's. My question is, just who are the Jone's and why are we so worried about impressing them anyway? All this tells me is that we are out for no one but ourselves. If we can purposely set out to make others feel inferior or envious by our "things", then we need to take a serious look at our lives and the morals we live by.

The Bible says that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and money more than they love God. This is happening right now and we are shrugging our shoulder at it. This is not a fad, it's not going to get any better, but we can renew our mindset and gain life, not death. How does owning material things lead to death? Think about it, the more things we accumulate, the more bills and headaches we also accumulate in order to keep this stuff. We then begin the run on the never ending treadmill, going nowhere but to hell.

You might think that's a little strong, but it's true because Jesus even told us this would happen.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." Matt. 6:17 (KJV)

The reason this will be the death of us is because He went on to say this;

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart also be." Matt. 6:18 (KJV)

In other words, if your heart devises covetousness, selfisheness, greed and wickedness then it will kill you one day. It's our instructions to serve God, not the treasures in this world. The things that own us will create issues in our lives. It's a vicious cycle. Issues will always bring about consequences, often life changing ones. They can never be reversed. We end up biting off more than we can chew. Our greedy behavior never ends up being the wisest choice and we always learn that too late. Our lives will begin to spiral out of control because we didn't stop to think rationally about something. We never considered how much something would cost, all we focused on was the "thing" we could call our own. This mentality will ruin us, but there is a cure. The world will never give you the right answers because it is set up to get what they want first. But there are solutions to every problem and they come from God. If you don't know Him then of course you wouldn't know His promises either.

The Bible gives us an example of one woman's issues and she was cured of them. It was all about her great faith in God and not man. She suffered for twelve years with a blood issue. There wasn't one doctor who could cure her of it and before she was done, she had spent all her money. She kept seeking the world system to cure her issues. This led her to a dead end and financial exasperation. But then...Jesus came through town one day. She knew that by the renewing of her mind, she could receive her healing just by her action of touching Him. She didn't need an audience, she could keep it quiet and touch the hem of His garment and be healed. This is the kind of faith that we still need today. We need to reach out and touch Jesus! He told her that by her faith she was healed. Our faith is the only thing that will heal our issues today as well.

But notice, we have to do more than reach out, we have to believe also, we have to renew our minds because the world has taught us the opposite of what God wants us to know.

"And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God." Rom. 12:2 (KJV)

Our renewing brings about a transformation in our spirit given by the grace of God. We can't do it by ourselves. But, since we are His child, He has made us to be like Him. He expects us to be righteous and holy as well. Selfishness, greed and lust have no place in our lives anymore.

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:22-23 (KJV)

The only way we can walk away from our issues is to renew our minds and set them on the things above.

"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8 (KJV)

God created us in His image and it makes sense that we should be thinking like Him, not in the gutter where the world wants us. So our past carnal way of thinking to make others jealous and envious of our "things" just won't feel right anymore. It will no longer be about owning more than the next guy, but about the real things that God wants for us. These aren't about material wealth.

Before we get anxious or worried about anything, we are to first pray and make supplications and to praise God at all times. This is not an option, whether you feel like it or not. This is a command if you want God's help. This must be sincere.

God won't always give us the things we think we have to have, but once you get to know the Father on a personal level you will learn how to thank Him that He doesn't let you have all these things. You will understand that it's for your own good. And that in itself deserves our praises.

To sum this up is to simply say that by changing our mindset from the world's system is to change our actions. Our actions can never change our way of thinking though. When we change the way we think of ourselves, then we will begin to become who we know we are. Who we are is a child of God! This will bring elevation and all you ever need will stem from this mindset. Your actions will then develop into ones of prosperity in all areas of your life!

So, instead of trying to hang onto money or things in hope to gain more, God says give it away to those who truly need them and He will supply you with whatever you need. That is a promise! This is God's plan for prosperity. He says, the less we have, the more we will have. Now doesn't that make alot of sense?

Whatever you sacrifice for Jesus is nothing compared to what He sacrificed for you. Be willing to give up the things that keep you held in bondage.

Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles in which to help strengthen the Believer's walk in Christ. They are often taken from today's point of view and used in conjunction with what God says about certain situations and how we are to handle them. There is always an answer for every problem. These articles are not all about asking God "why?" but in finding the answers.