Somehow, some way, materialism is always able to sneak into our lives to steal our time, our thoughts, our energy, and our resources. Our contemporary culture encourages the worship of material things. Your parental example sends a loud and clear message to your kids about what’s most important in your life and what they should hold near and dear to their hearts. Proverbs warns about the dangerous trap of materialism: “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” The message that we need to send to our kids through our words and example is that all that we have, are, and ever hope to be is a gift entrusted to us by God. Our responsibility is to steward these gifts to his glory to further his work on earth. Why not take some time to examine your check book and credit card statements. What message do they send about your treasure?