Is It Okay to Want Nice Things, or Am I Supposed to Be Poor for Jesus? (When Your Faith and Your Furniture Taste Collide)

There’s this moment, usually while you’re pushing a cart through the home goods aisle, smelling a candle that costs more than your electric bill, when you pause and think, “Wait… is this okay?” Like, can I love Jesus and also love modern brass light fixtures and soft-close drawers while wearing Ralph Lauren teddy bear slippers? Or is this just me?

Maybe it’s not home decor for you. Maybe it’s shoes. Or a Stanley cup in every shade of millennial pink. Or a vehicle that starts on the first try and doesn’t smell like car insurance regret. Regardless, the question nags at your conscience: Does wanting something nice mean I’m materialistic? Or worldly? Or worse… shallow?

Some of us grew up hearing that Christians were supposed to be content with very little. Others absorbed the opposite, that abundance was a sign of God’s favor. And a lot of people are stuck in the middle, wondering if it’s okay to enjoy the good things of life without slipping into idolatry or self-indulgence.

It’s a topic worth diving into because this isn’t just a money question—it’s a heart question. And Jesus had a lot to say about that. So buckle up, buttercup. We’re gonna talk about our money, our stuff, and those pesky priorities.

THE BIBLE NEVER SAID “STUFF = SIN”

Let’s be clear up front: having money or enjoying nice things does not automatically mean you’re spiritually compromised. Scripture is full of faithful believers who had significant resources like Abraham (a VERY rich guy), Lydia, Job (the richest guy in his region), and Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus Himself had wealthy supporters who funded His ministry (Luke 8:1–3), and the early church was sustained by people with land, homes, and the ability to give generously.

But the Bible also warns us—constantly—about the danger of wealth. Not because money is inherently evil, but because it can quietly take God’s place in our hearts. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). He didn’t say you can’t have money. He said you can’t serve it.

Money makes a great tool. But it makes a terrible master. And a sneaky one, at that.

Paul didn’t tell Timothy that money was the root of all evil. He said, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils”(1 Timothy 6:10). That craving for more and more, whether you’re rolling in it or barely scraping by, can rot your soul from the inside out.

The issue isn’t the $40 candle. Or the shoes with the red soles. Or the upgraded apartment or computer setup. The issue is: What does your stuff do to your heart?

WHEN BLESSING TURNS INTO BRAGGING RIGHTS

Here’s where things get slippery. The modern world doesn’t just offer us stuff, it offers us platforms to display it. Whether it’s #blessed content, home office reveal reels, or unboxing your third “Christian influencer” merch drop, we’re living in a time when material things aren’t just enjoyed, they’re curated, posted, and praised.

Suddenly, the quiet joy of a cozy home or the blessing of some new thing turns into a performance. And faith gets looped in, like a stamp of spiritual approval. Look how faithful I’ve been—God gave me this lifestyle!

Now, can God bless His children with tangible gifts? Absolutely. But we have to be careful not to equate visibility with virtue. Sometimes blessing looks like overflow. Sometimes it looks like just enough. And sometimes blessing looks like waiting and watching while other people seem to receive, and you sit in patient faithfulness knowing that the stuff of this world isn’t what lasts.

There’s some tension in that, I know. It’s real. Doesn’t mean that God isn’t watching. Doesn’t mean that He’s forgotten you. Not at all. Sometimes waiting is the blessing. I know this because I’ve lived this one.

SO HOW DO I LIVE FAITHFULLY WITH STUFF?

Not everything that sparkles is a distraction. But not everything you can afford is a good investment, either. Faithful stewardship isn’t about guilt; it’s about living in alignment with the Word of God. Here are some practical check-offs for real life in stewardship:

1. Check your heart. Why do you want it? To impress? To numb? To escape? Or just because it brings beauty and function into your life in a way that honors your season and needs? Motive matters. And God’s not fooled by a Christianese caption pasted over a purchase that was really about pride.
2. Check your grip. Could you give it away tomorrow if God asked? Luke 12:15 reminds us, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Hold what you have with open hands, not clenched fists.
3. Check your source. This is a hard question, but one we need to keep in mind daily. Did you get this money honestly? Did it come at the cost of someone else’s dignity, or your own integrity? Did we give our absolute best efforts when we earned this money? Proverbs 10:2 says, “Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” How we earn matters just as much as how we spend.
4. Check your generosity. Do your purchases reflect the kind of kingdom you’re building? If you spend more on throw pillows than you give toward missions, maybe it’s time to rethink which “home” you’re investing in. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). That’s not a threat; it’s a diagnostic tool.
5. Check your peace. Is this “nice thing” drawing you closer to contentment or creating more craving? That restless need for more? That’s not from God. That’s the world doing what it does best, keeping you chasing satisfaction instead of sitting in it.

WHAT JESUS ACTUALLY WANTS FROM YOU

Jesus didn’t require us to be poor. He doesn’t ask us to dampen our personal ambitions. He asks us to follow Him in humility. And for some, that’s going to look like open-handed simplicity. For others, it might include a job with a high salary, a gorgeous house, or the ability to give abundantly. Neither story is wrong. What matters is whether our lifestyle reflects His Lordship, not just our preferences.

So, the question isn’t: Can I have nice things?

It’s: Do I love anything more than I love Him?

When we get that part right, everything else starts to find its place. So, my friend, go out there and make Jesus proud today with simple faithfulness and love. That’s all He asks.

☕ May you have a little faith, a little courage, and a whole lot of stubborn joy. – Tonya

What helps you keep your faith anchored when it comes to money, goals, or “stuff”? I’d love to hear how you navigate this.

© 2025 All posts written (while resisting another online cart full of things I don’t need) by Tonya E. Lee.