My wife and I know a couple who often tell their children that people matter more than things. I remember the first time I heard them say it. Almost intuitively, I knew it was right and good. Over the years, we’ve tried to adopt this truth and recite the phrase as much as possible. We don’t always get it right, but we still believe it’s a worthwhile endeavor.
In the book of Acts, there’s a famous scene where the early church gathered and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. They met together daily, sharing meals and praising God with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:44-47). It’s an inspiring way to live. It feels rather unique in light of today’s world. And though it doesn’t take long for things to get complicated and messy for the early church, the fellowship of those believers teaches us an important lesson: People matter more than things.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
– Acts 4:32-35 (NIV)
We live in a world that places high value on property and possessions. That’s not all bad. But it’s easy to turn these good things into God things. And that’s the definition of an idol. Our hearts aren’t made to be divided. Jesus said it this way: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The picture we see in the book of Acts is a group of Christ-followers valuing people more than things, more than money, more than possessions. Instead of saving for a rainy day, these women and men gave their possessions away to those in need. Instead of only thinking about themselves, these Christians loved their neighbors as themselves. Against the tide of culture, they lived counter-culturally and laid their lives down in healthy, Jesus-centered ways.
People matter more than things. And that should change the way we live. It should change the way we do life.
What are some practical ways your family can value people over things? How might giving to the needy produce gratitude in your heart for the possessions under your care?
My daughters recently expressed a desire to help the homeless population in our city. They suggested that we buy McDonald’s gift cards, store them in the glove compartment of our vehicle, and give them away when we’re stopped at a traffic light and a homeless person is there asking for help. They spent their own money on these cards and personally delivered them through the passenger window of our car. It was one of those proud dad moments.
How might we parents encourage our children to put people before things? They won’t always get it right. We don’t either. But sometimes they will. And small victories are worth celebrating.
People matter more than things. Anytime we love our neighbors as ourselves, God is honored, and his mission of redeeming the world through love is unleashed. For God so loved the world that he gave. He’s a giver. He’s a lover of people. Shouldn’t we do the same?
Daniel Seabaugh 
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