Be Clear That You Are Not Driven By Material Interests

Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:17
Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

Apostle Paul writes to the church of Philippians. He thanks them in this letter for the material support they sent to him while in prison. Paul desperately needed that help, but it was not the driving factor for his ministry. Realizing that he can easily be misunderstood, he clarifies that, while he needed help it wasn’t the reason for the entire ministry. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

He writes to the Philippians that he can handle both extreme situations very well. He can deal with lack and hunger, and he can also properly manage a situation where he is well fed and has plenty. He tells the Philippians that he can deal with both extremes because (1) he has learned and (2) because Christ gives him strength. Christ’s strength does not remove the need to learn the necessary habits and skills of survival. Even while being strengthened by Christ we must learn to save money, to budget, to say no to friends and distractions, etc. Power from Christ does not do away with our need to learn. Our learning too is not sufficient without power from Christ.

Paul seems at pains to explain that he is not after material benefits from the church. Paul knows that if the church thinks he is after material things, they will not listen to him. With so many materialistic people at his time, Paul had to emphatically clarify that he is not materialistic. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

Material is what everybody seems to be chasing. There is an undeclared competition for achieving material goals. The church should not see the preacher as part of their race for material benefits. That perception lowers the dignity of the call to a mere career. When the church leader is seen as chasing material they lose respect and their effect is forever gone. That is why Paul had to be clear in our text today that I am not after material benefits. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

The material chased and gained will never satisfy. To chase the material is to chase what will never satisfy. The more you get the more you need. A material goal is one that will never be achieved. That chase makes one insecure. Materialistic pursuits are what drives corruption, theft, abuse of office, embezzlement of funds, and even murder of opponents. It is safe if you are not driven by materialism. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

If your employer thinks you are only after the salary and not the good of the organization, your job is at risk. Those who focus on material benefit would not give their work the desired passion to drive it forward. Those who are only centered on the material will easily betray and abandon the team if a better offer comes. It is important to show that we love the job and the organization other than the material benefits. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

A student who is driven by material desire will take a course of study that is not of their interest. Such a student will unnecessarily struggle to learn. Such a student will cheat and cut corners in order to succeed. Such a student will get a job but will never have a professional passion that inspires those that he or she serves. These are the most difficult people to work with. Material interest can mislead and destroy that which was otherwise good. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

A soldier driven by material interest is a mercenary. Such a soldier is not loyal to the course or the employer. This soldier is loyal to money and money alone. You cannot trust this soldier to guard you, since they can change sides if the enemy offers more money. Many a nation will prefer a loyal army than mercenaries. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

Even for your own good, focus on other things and less on material benefits. Those who focus on making money and money alone, rarely make it. Those who offer a solution to problems through something they are passionate about will always be the money makers. Focus on material kills creativity and passion. Focus on material kills you from within and makes your work a drudgery. Help yourself through Christ’s power that you do not focus on material benefits. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

Material benefits include securing your job at any cost. Material benefits are money, salaries, income, allowances, etc. Material benefits are prestige, recognition, power, and the likes. Material benefits include retaining your seat in an election. Material benefits include attention from a friend. Material benefits include sex and the like. Material benefits are gifts you get as a result of the work you do. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

If your friend or spouse concludes that you are in this relationship for material benefit, the relationship will weaken significantly. The other person will feel like you are using them to get what you want. The other person will feel that there is no love only material interests. The other person will feel insecure that this can easily end if you get better offers elsewhere. Your spouse or friend should clearly know that you are not here because of their status, money, beauty, or sex offers. Even children can be material benefits. Where it is only children that one wants or keeps one in a relationship. Ensure that you are not perceived to be materialistic. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

A materialistic person is a very sad person. They are in a situation they do not like, but they must persevere for the sake of material benefits. They are in a relationship with a person they hate but they benefit from the status that they are married. They are serving in church but have no preaching passion or any desire to serve God. They are doing a job at their workplace that bores them to the core. They are engaged in a business that they least care about. They are taking a course of study that inspires no interest in them. To be materialistic is to self punish in a bitter way. To be materialistic not only harms you but harms those who work with you. Be clear that you are not driven by material interests!

May God refocus us on other interests other than material. May God save us from materialistic people who masquerade as genuine. May we have the courage to state and demonstrate that we are not driven by material interest, in Jesus’ name, Amen!