1399) I’ll never forget the first time I heard the phrase, Retail Therapy. I laughed but later, when I thought about it, I could see why the second word is important to this saying. We can receive a boost of positive energy when we purchase something we want. Because these feelings don’t last, however, we can develop the need to continually buy things to keep this pleasure alive. It is the classic example of instant gratification without the consideration as to whether it helps us in the long run. The drive to collect temporary things doesn’t just affect us; people during Bible times were too.

Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26 what you really gain when you focus on the fleeting pleasure of getting more “stuff.” Many of us know the answer to his question, but we can become addicted to these good feelings similarly to craving drugs or alcohol. The pleasure of these things don’t last, so it makes more sense to focus on what does.

God’s love will always last as will his promises. Cling to these things that carry eternal value.