“You Need the Latest”

We live in a world that is basically screaming 24/7: Upgrade. Refresh. Add to cart. You NEED this. New phone. New shoes. New skincare. New Stanley. New everything. And it’s subtle, too. It’s not just ads. It’s TikTok hauls. It’s “Get Ready With Me.” It’s influencers who somehow always have the exact thing you suddenly feel like you can’t live without!

But here’s the truth nobody glamorizes: All the latest…costs money. And money doesn’t grow on aesthetic trees. When we start bending our lives around getting the next thing, something sneaky happens. We don’t just spend money. We start serving it.

Jesus actually said this super clearly: “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money.” — Matthew 6:24

When keeping up becomes the goal, money slowly turns into an idol. And an idol isn’t just a golden statue. It’s anything that takes first place in your heart. If your peace depends on having the newest drop…If your confidence depends on a brand name…If your mood tanks because you can’t afford what everyone else has...That’s not just shopping. That’s worship. And sis, we were not created to worship Visa!

Treasures That Expire

Here’s the bigger perspective. Everything culture pressures you to chase has a shelf life. Trends rotate. Tech upgrades. Shoes crease. Makeup runs out. The hoodie you “had to have” becomes the thing buried in the back of your closet next year. And yet we stress, compare, and sometimes even spiral over getting those things right now.

That’s exactly why Jesus says in Matthew 6:19–20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” He’s not shaming you for owning cute stuff—He’s reminding you how temporary it all is. Earthly treasure fades, breaks, gets stolen, gets outdated, or simply loses its shine. But when you give—when you invest in ministry, generosity, people encountering Jesus, needs being met—you’re placing your resources into something that doesn’t expire. One kind of treasure impresses people for a moment. The other echoes into eternity!

So Let’s Talk About Tithing! Yes, the 10%.

The word tithe literally means “tenth.” Ten percent. That’s it. In the Bible, God’s people gave the first tenth of what they earned back to Him—not leftovers, not whatever felt convenient. As it says in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” The number isn’t random. Ten percent is intentional. It’s measurable. It creates a clear starting point for obedience, not a vague “I’ll give when I feel like it.” If you make $50 babysitting, the tithe is $5. If you get $100 for your birthday, it’s $10. It’s simple math, but it’s spiritual formation. Giving the first tenth trains your heart to put God first before shopping, saving, or spending. It builds discipline now so generosity becomes a lifestyle later. It’s not about God needing your money—it’s about you learning to trust Him with it.

Where Your Treasure Goes, Your Heart Follows

Jesus makes it personal: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Your money leads; your heart follows. If it all goes toward keeping up, comparison will own you. But when you give that first ten percent, your heart loosens its grip and learns contentment. This isn’t about avoiding nice things—it’s about keeping money off the throne. The world’s glow-up fades; God’s lasts!