A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessionsMy husband and I have the privilege to be able to live on two continents. For years we have been dividing our time between Holland and Southern California, not only separated by thousands of miles but also by thousands of different cultural aspects. Our house in Holland is about the smallest house in town, it’s cute and cozy. We don’t have a lot of stuff there, simply because we lack room to store it! Here in Southern California however the house we live in is huge! Over the years we furnished every room en somehow the house became full with all kinds of things. I don’t think we intentionally wanted to fill it up, it happened slowly. It is amazing how that gathering mentality can creep up on you; more, more, more…
Jesus, as usual, has some very wise words on this. In Luke 12:15 He says,
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Wow, a man's life does NOT consist in the abundance of his possessions, that goes against everything this country stands for. ‘The more I have, the more I be’ seems to be the main thought in our rich Western world. We have elevated the abundance of possessions to be a birth right, to a way of living; it is hard to think otherwise.
I think we better start listening to the words of the Master and change our thinking. It is NOT about what we have, but about who we are in Him and what we can give to others in need!
Search your heart,
Simplify your life
Share your belongings.
Very good reminder Marja. We always need to keep things in balance :-)
ReplyDeleteYes Lorrie, BALANCE, not always easy...
ReplyDeleteWe have moved house many times over the years and the 'abundance of our possessions made packing a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteIn simplifying our life because of illness I have learned to love God in a much simpler way and although I can become despondent over poor Geoff's health and my weaknesses His love for me and mine for Him has become more and more too.
I will take your lst three lines to heart.
Thanks, Marja.
We have moved house many times too Wyn. Jan says his favorite house is the camper (which is very compact and takes him where he wants to be). I have learned that the more stuff we have, the complicater our lives become. LOVE, as you mentioned, is the only thing that needs to increase!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a sweetheart Wyn, thanks.