Far from the experience of most of us is the music world and culture of hip-hop. Russell Simmons, a hip-hop headliner, recently gave unsolicited advice for young people, “They don’t need just to pay attention to the bling.” He further counseled that young people should spend more time on financial planning and credit stability rather than spend their money on material items.

On the one hand that’s not bad advice. The “bling,” or the material things, may glisten, shine, and sparkle, and may make us think that with it we sparkle, too. Our natural materialistic hearts so often let the Evil one hang the lie around our necks that what we have defines who we are: the bigger, the better; the gaudier, the more attention; the more expensive things we have, the more successful we are.

Not so. Jesus wants us to pay proper attention to real riches: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). This Thanksgiving, give thanks for what really matters. Of course we should give thanks to God for our daily bread along with all the extra things we enjoy. But even more, we give endless thanks and praise for the rich supply of Jesus’ Bread of Life, that is, the promise of forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life—abundantly given us by the Spirit in Word and Sacrament!

On the other hand the advice by Simmons was horribly insufficient. Financial planning and credit stability are important matters for us to consider. Financial planning is part of our Christian life and good stewardship of God’s rich blessings. Too many households are maxing out credit cards in order to have it all now instead of later. As a result, many families have ended up burdened by paying off their plastic debt and feeling they must ignore the Lord’s priorities of providing for the family, supporting God’s Kingdom, paying taxes, and giving to charity. Thankful hearts are therefore contented hearts. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Thankful hearts do seek to do proper planning and establish credit stability, yet they heed what the Savior adds: “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well,” (Luke 12:31).

I am writing this article three days after an F-2 tornado hit Rogers, Minnesota and left one person dead, seven injured, 437 homes damaged, and an estimated price tag of $15-20 million for repair and rebuilding. During a day I spent with a volunteer clean-up crew I heard a man comment, “Look at that place...probably that family’s dream house...Makes you think of what really matters.” It does. When the bling is blown away, what matters is the people—that the people are safe and, even more, that the people, especially our little people, are safe in Jesus. Because the believers, who may have lost every earthly possession, still have their treasure in heaven through Jesus.

Think about all that we receive, but especially about the gifts of grace that really matter, and, “give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As you give thanks, think, too, about the synod-wide For You and Your Children offering designated to help congregations pass on eternal treasures through Lutheran schools. Participation in this offering affords one avenue of expressing our thanks to the Lord God for giving us what really matters, with the prayer that many thankful generations will follow.

Pastor David Russow, serves Redeeming Grace Lutheran Church in Rogers, MN, and is Chairman of the ELS Board for Stewardship.