“But his (Lot’s) wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26

Free Stuff

My husband and I have a little inside joke about all the “free stuff” I’ve accumulated over the years. The joke is that all that free stuff came into my possession usually because I had to buy something to get it. As some of you know, dazzling little ads come in the mail from department stores announcing the next new “free gift”, and who can resist that? Not usually me. It doesn’t matter that I don’t really need most of it—sometimes,years later, I’ve discovered those precious little freebies shoved into a drawer just taking up valuable storage space.

So why do I continue to fall for the “free gift” ploy? Well, it’s just so free! I know it’s silly. I know I’m playing into their hands. Maybe I’m helping the economy? Oh, how thoughtful of me. But the bottom line of it is, I like my stuff! And the good ol’ USA still has a lot of it to sell, to acquire, and to admire.

Speaking of a “LOT”, remember Lot’s wife? She made the fatal, salty and solidifying mistake looking back at all she was leaving behind as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their absolute wickedness and depravity. I imagine she hungered, she thirsted, even longed to go back to her way of life and her pretty little trinkets. Did she somehow miss the subtle warnings along the way that she was getting too wrapped up in the things of the world? Perhaps.

These days, as we become more and more dependent upon technology, we turn to our phones for just about everything; chances are, you’re reading this devotional on that phone—and I thank God for that. But have you noticed how right alongside of Christian teaching are the myriad sales of merchandise? Every conceivable company that gets our email address is vying for our attention and our dollars. From digital coupons to special sales for “members”, it’s a challenge to keep it all straight. The sheer volume of advertising is more than most of us can resist. Who wants to miss out on some bargain “free stuff”? Certainly not me. Why just this morning, as I turned on my phone, I was sidetracked by a fabulous sale at…oh, Lord, have mercy. And that’s even before my eyes were fully open or I’d had my coffee!

We do need stuff to live on this planet. Some stuff. Am I saying not to enjoy our stuff? Not at all, but let’s just take an honest evaluation of how the enemy can suck us into the trap of materialism quicker than we can say “bargain basement”! He’s ruthless, coy and clever at seducing us away from our first Love (Jesus), especially first thing in the morning!

I don’t know about you, but turning into a pillar of salt like Lot’s wife just doesn’t sound like a lot of fun (tee hee). Instead, let’s be the salt Jesus talked about: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13).

Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace as we navigate the pitfalls of a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Show us Your ways and truth, keeping us ever wise to the enemy’s schemes that try to take Your place as King in our lives. We love You, amen.