I’ve come to the conclusion that I have too many belongings. Actually, if I’m being honest, I figured that out years ago… I just haven’t done anything about it. However, I’ve really been convicted about my overabundance of “stuff” lately, so here’s the plan: from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I’m going to get rid of five things a day and not buy anything new. I’ll donate the things that are in good condition, and other things I probably just need to throw away (I’m entirely too sentimental and therefore have a plethora of what is essentially trash in my closet).
I was super excited about this for the few days leading up to Thanksgiving, but I was surprised at how hard it was to just take some books of the shelf and put them in the giveaway pile. And these are books I’ve only read once.. and owned for years. Ridiculous, I know. And that’s why they just have to go.
My materialism is an outward representation of a selfish heart. Poverty in the U.S. is the highest it’s been since 1993 (U.S. Census Bureau). Around the world, there are 29,000 children under the age of 5 who die every day, many from preventable causes (UNICEF). How do I justify my hundreds of belongings? How can I choose to spend $20 for a pair of jeans I don’t need because it’s just “such a good deal” when there are children going to bed hungry? N0t cool. Not okay.
I think Scripture makes that pretty clear…
1 Timothy 6:6-7 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
Luke 12:33-34 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Anywho, I’m blogging about this for two reasons:
1. Accountability- I don’t want to quit halfway through or cheat by buying something that’s on clearance and calling my name. I don’t expect people to actually ask me if I’m sticking with it.. but I will write about it again when I’m done.
2. You should join me – Maybe not in the exact same way, but seriously.. you probably have too much stuff. Books you don’t read, clothes you don’t wear, CDs that you never listen to. Get rid of them! Please?
“The war against materialism in our hearts is exactly that: a war. It is a constant battle to resist the temptation to have more luxuries, to acquire more stuff, and to live more comfortably.” –David Platt, Radical
(for reasons entirely unrelated…) #aprilmaequintana.is.awesome
