One Man's Treasure...

I'm cleaning out closets and drawers in anticipation of a yard sale next weekend at my friend Aleah's. I am trying to be ruthless in cleaning things out and deciding what to keep versus what to sell.

As the pile of sale items grows, I am struck by how many of those items were things that I really wanted and paid good money for years ago. Now something that I may have paid $20 or $30 will most likely be sold for a couple of bucks or less. Items that once seemed so important have been relegated to the backs of drawers or top shelves of closets, out of sight and out of mind.

It's hard to believe that I have so much stuff. And, I must admit, it's somewhat embarrassing to realize that I have so much stuff that I no longer use or want.

At the same time, I'm reminded of God's graciousness and goodness in how He's blessed me materially. By most of the world (particularly outside the U.S.), I am considered "rich". The stockpile of clothes that I no longer wear, books I don't want to read again and household items that I no longer use is testimony to how much God has blessed me materially and financially.

Honestly, some things are difficult to let go of and be willing to put up for sale. Even things that I may not have used (or seen) in years. There is a voice in the back of my head that tries to convince me that I should hang on to certain items for nostalgia's sake, or that surely I'll find use for them again, even though I haven't used them at all for a long time.

If I'm not careful, the things that I own can become idols to me. I can find myself chasing after things, desiring to acquire more "stuff". I don't want to be like the rich young ruler in Mark 10, who went away sad because he was unwilling to part with his possessions in order to follow Jesus. Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to have money or material blessings--but when those blessings become more important to us than the Blessing-Giver, that's idolatry. So I have to check myself from time to time and remind myself that truly all I have belongs to God, and if He calls me to give it up--whether through a yard sale or donation to charity or giving to a friend in need--then I need to be obedient.