“How does a Christian move from being possessed by one’s possessions to delight in God and generosity to others? Consider the following principles.
Acknowledge that God alone is your highest good.
Through prayer and fasting determine how worldly possessions may have a grip on your life.
Loosen your grip on material things by enlarging your love for Christ.
Surrender your resources to God.
Remember that disciples through the ages joyfully gave up everything to follow Jesus.
A Prayer: LORD, my natural human inclination is to set my heart on, and find my security in, material things. Grant me the grace to be possessed, not by my possessions, but by You, the Lover of my soul.”
Bruce Demarest in Soulguide: Following Jesus as Spiritual Director (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2003) 101-102.