6 Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have. 7 We didn’t bring anything into the world and so we can’t take anything out of it:
Reflection
I have to say I like stuff. Our Dad was a collector, and I guess that trait was passed down to me. I love different kinds of drinking glasses, dishes, mugs, pictures, jewelry, shoes, and clothing. I enjoy rotating my things around because I don’t like too much clutter – although I have a friend who is a minimalist, and she would say I have clutter. She is not a fan of tchotchkes – I love the word, and I like looking at tchotchkes when I travel, and I will frequently buy something that I find that is unique to the place that I am visiting, especially if it helps local people.
I try to enjoy the things I have – to wear different clothes, use my dishes, appreciate the jewelry that I have gotten from different people and places. I have to say I do not think I could live an austere existence – I like color, I like looking at my things and remembering when and where I got them. Having these things tends to center me, so for example when I am on a zoom call for work or watching a webinar, I can focus on the things to help me focus on the class. I think this is how I was made. Now if tomorrow, God said to me, sell all of your things like Jesus said to the rich man (Matthew 19:21), I think I would be sad, but I could do it. I think that is the point of that story – appreciate what you have and ask God to guide you with things you buy, donations you make, and how you use your resources.
Now am I justifying the way I live? Maybe. I know I am not living in a hoarding situation, I know I am not buying possessions at the cost of having enough food, shelter, and clothing. I am donating to causes, so again, I am telling you that what I am doing should be ok. Do I always ask the Holy Spirit to direct me when I make a purchase? I can say honestly that I do not. Should I? I think I should really try to do that. When I do my reorganizing and cleaning, do I ask what I should keep or donate? Not usually but I will at times.
I think this is a lesson I need to personally work on – as I am sure I have too much stuff. Does it give me pleasure? Yes, it does, but is it what I am supposed to be doing? Only the Lord can answer that. I need to keep asking and follow what I hear. This is a challenge for me to deal with, maybe it is for you too. Maybe not, but again it shows us how unique we all are in our traits and how we can follow our calling.
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What do you think about “stuff”?
Do you enjoy hunting for specific things?
Do you enjoy looking at and remembering where you got your things?
What is the Holy Spirit telling you about those things?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you so much for the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Help us to never take our blessings for granted. Help us to use our resources wisely and to look to you to tell us how we should spend our money and time. May we listen to your voice when you tell us something we might not want to hear about our habits. Guide us in all that we do. Amen.
