Would I Still Buy It If Nobody Saw It?

🪵👁 The Log in My Eye: I'll be the first to admit that I have yet to personally escape the struggle of envy, covetousness, jealousy, and comparison. I’m a Jesus follower and a gear lover. I’m certain I get that order mixed up at times (I just have to hit the “Search” icon 🔍 to find out where my eyes linger most…the algorithm knows you better than you think)

So what comes next is surely a challenge I’m offering us together.

I’ve been questioning my own motives for buying gear lately and I thought I’d extend the challenge to the community as well—specifically those of us who are followers of Jesus.

Let me clarify by saying I’m not against buying gear. I’m not even against buying expensive gear. 

The Biblical model we’re to follow regarding possessions is that of a “steward”—we’re to be caretakers of whatever God owns but has temporarily put in our hands, charged and expected to multiply it for His purposes (Matt. 25:14ff). As musicians, I believe we should be making captivating, Spirit-filled music that requires certain tools suited for the job.

But at its core, followers of Jesus must recognize that every guitar, every pedal, every piece belongs to Him—He is the owner and lender. 

Every decision must flow from this.

But let’s be honest…sometimes we go a little “extra,” yeah? 

And where exactly do we draw that line between need and excess?

Jesus definitely had some stuff to say to those who “store up things for themselves but [who are] not rich toward God” (see Luke 12:16-21 for full context). Likewise, the nasty tendency I have toward comparison and envy is real. And since Paul inconveniently put “jealousy” and “orgies” in the same list of sins, I guess I ought to pay attention to my “drive” for more (Gal. 5:19-21).

So here are 6 questions I’ve been asking myself lately before buying a new piece of gear:

1. Would I thoroughly enjoy this purchase if not a single soul saw it?

The bottom line is—are we buying something because it’s useful and inspirational to us or are we buying it to increase our social clout? Sometimes, we simply want gear that will make us look the way we want to look. 

Just for fun, the next item you buy, don’t post a pic of it online. Keep it secret. Determine its usefulness apart from how many likes it gets. 

2. Was I a good steward with the last gear I purchased?

Take a hard look at the gear we already have and ask ourselves, “Have we learned as much as we could about all of it and have we used it to its full potential”? (Looking at you, synths and plug-ins…and complicated multi-effects units). 

I wonder how much more we’d want or need if we truly squeezed every last drop of usefulness out of our current gear.

3. Will I have to borrow money to buy this?

Yes credit cards count as borrowing money we don’t have. Proverbs 22:7 is pretty clear about our status as slaves to the lender. If we’re loading our credit cards to buy gear, a hard look at our motives may be needed. I’d be willing to bet the lessons learned by patience and saving is greater than the benefit of having that new overdrive pedal tomorrow.

4. Have I been tithing regularly?

Do we regularly tithe to our church? Or are we giving consistently to some ministry or para-church organization or missionary? I think we’d be wise to prioritize this first (see Luke passage 4 swipes back). 

Jesus talked more about money than just about anything else and famously said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). So…where’s the bulk of our treasure?

5. Could I buy something that would sound the same for less?

These days, branding can crank the price of gear…a lot. Are we buying because the brand will make us look good, or because the tone and usefulness are truly unique to that piece?

*Side Note: For the most part I'm not in support of buying straight "clones" if it's taking away from the original designer of the product...but this is a discussion for another day. I'd personally favor buying used over buying a copy.

6. Will this purchase contribute to the growth of the Kingdom of God?

Like I said at the start, I’m not saying we shouldn’t spend money on quality, inspiring gear that can create music that guides hearts to Jesus. But let’s check that motive (and the fruit) often. Is that custom Portlander really being used to serve the Kingdom? Is it helping people walk in step with the way of Jesus? Is it helping you or those around you create music that is transforming hearts and minds? 

Maybe so! And if so, keep at it!

But it doesn’t hurt to ask the questions to be sure.

🐑