All of us are riding on the success of the tremendous economic progress of the country for the last decade which has brought a significant historical change of lifestyles in many of us.
Many are living the “cozier and costlier” lifestyles, people are buying more luxury goods and services, eating out more often and more luxuriously, employing maids and going abroad for holidays. With the depreciating ringgit, prices of goods has escalated to an unprecedented level. For those who just graduated from college or university, they can own a car but not a home as prices of property has skyrocketing to a level much outweigh their income.
I very much remember that in the 80’s, we talk about chasing after the 5C’s in life.
The 5 C’s
Cosier – but costlier home
Cash in the bank
Car
Country club
Credit cash – in the form of credit card
But forget about the five “Cs” of cash, condominium, car, credit card, country club. Many are upgrading their destination to what they called about the five “Bs” of billions, Benz, brains, body and bungalow in a partner.
Whatever it is, as Christians we need to set our priorities right and live a life that seek after God’s Kingdom and His righteousness (Matt.6:33). Life is much more than just purely pursuing material possessions and wants. Our Lord Jesus when He preached to the multitude has this to say in Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness. For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
On the other hand, we are reminded to set our mind on spiritual things and keep heaven as our ultimate destination.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
It is always a struggle to maintain our spirituality as we lived in a materialistic world. I believed the bible had given us some guidelines and instructions to us that in living this life, we can “glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20)
Maintaining the spiritual 5C’s in our life as a Christia
Spiritual C’s
(a) Careful to maintain good works (Tit. 3:14)
“And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (Tit. 3:14)
(b) Conduct ourselves well (Phil. 1:27)
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear if your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27)
(c) Cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7)
“So let each one gives as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
(d) Compassionate (1 Pet. 3:8)
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” (1 Pet. 3:8)
(e) Contentment (1 Tim. 6:6-7)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing in this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim. 6:6-7).
Do you have more C’s to add?
