"I should live frugally and give everything away to prove I'm not materialistic."
How it sounds in your head: If I keep anything nice for myself, people will think I don't care about others. Real Christians give sacrificially and live simply. Having savings or nice things means I'm not trusting God or caring about people.
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."
-- 1 Timothy 6:17Religious poverty vow disguised as generosity - the belief that self-deprivation proves spirituality.
He's heard missionary stories of radical giving and thinks normal life is compromise. Youth group culture glorifies sacrifice without understanding stewardship.
Widow was about to lose her sons to creditors. Elisha multiplied her oil - not just enough to pay debt, but 'you and your sons can live on the rest.' God provided SURPLUS, not just survival. He wanted her to ENJOY provision, not just escape poverty.
I REFUSE the lie that poverty proves spirituality. IT IS WRITTEN that God gives us richly all things TO ENJOY. Enjoyment is not selfish - it's WORSHIP when I recognize the Giver. IT IS WRITTEN that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children - that's WEALTH preserved, not poverty glorified. I can't leave an inheritance if I give away everything. The BARAK blessing means OVERFLOW in my storehouses - that's SAVINGS, not scarcity. I will be above only and not beneath - that requires MARGIN. God doesn't call me to self-deprivation to prove I trust Him. He calls me to STEWARD well, ENJOY thoroughly, and GIVE generously from OVERFLOW. A river blesses everything downstream because it's FULL, not empty. I am a river, not a martyr. I receive abundance, enjoy provision, and bless others from the surplus.
Your Father is running toward you with the fattened calf, the best robe, and the family ring - luxuries, not necessities. He's not asking you to live on rice and beans to prove your devotion. He's celebrating your return with ABUNDANCE because that's who HE is.