Things

I have this thing about things. You see, I think some people have way too many of them—like those people who can’t put another thing in their garage or their closets, so they rent a storage place for their extra things.

When I moved houses recently, I had to decide what to do with many of the things I’d accumulated since my last move. Boy, oh boy! That’s when I realized I had indeed become one of “those people”—a thing collector!

I think a lot of the problem is due to the culture of materialism that is so prevalent these days. Whenever we watch TV or listen to the radio or read magazines, we are bombarded with advertisements about all the latest and greatest things we need to buy, and those ads are effective.

Take electronic equipment, for example. As soon as a thinner TV or laptop or cell phone comes out, everybody wants it, and a lot of perfectly good fatter ones end up in the garage or closet with everything else.

There are other downsides to this “thing” mentality too. For one, you can lose appreciation for the value of the things you have if you have too many of them.

Jesus put “things” in perspective when He said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Another thing about things is that just as some people have way too many, there are others who lack even the basic things of life. Sad!

If you happen to recognize the symptoms of this too-many-things malady in your life, as I did, don’t worry. There is a cure, at least on a personal level. You can take a serious look at all the things you have, decide which you use and really need, and give the rest to charity or a needy neighbor or friend. As Jesus told one rich young man, “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

You’ll be happy with the results. Your home will suddenly seem bigger and more organized, and your life will seem less cluttered.

And remember what Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As we give away our extra things in a spirit of generosity, we accumulate God’s blessings, both in this life and for eternity.

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Luke 12:15 (ESV) And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 18:22 (ESV) When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Acts 20:35 (ESV) In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.