Personal:
Is it hard for you to imagine having hardly enough possessions to fit into a single suit case? Why do you think God chose to place you in such a wealthy abundant place, while he chose to place others in impoverished and desolate environments? Why do you think the wealthy people in the world who have much are for the most part unwilling to share with those who have so little?
Action:
1. What were the five possessions you decided you would keep if all your other possessions were taken away? How do you think you would view those five possessions differently if they were all you had? How would you view God differently?
2. The pictures from Material World give us a visual representation of how little most people own compared to the average American. Do you think this distribution of wealth is fair or just? Why do you think we are encouraged to accumulate so many things in our culture?
To view more pictures from Material World click on the link in the Quest Sites below.
Posts
It was harder to find 5 items that I needed. With all I have been blessed with, there is very little that I have that I really NEED.
ReplyDeleteMy suite case has
The Bible
A small 2 person tent
A self charging flash light
Pocket knife
Warm jacket
But I kept asking myself -if this were all I had, would any of it really be important. More important then food, or water (thinking of yesterday)
About four years ago, we had to clean out my grandma's house because she was moving into a nursing home. We sifted through thing after thing, keeping what major trinkets we could, donating what was worthwhile, and then throwing out the rest. Literally. We had to rent a dumpster to throw out everything. It completely changed my worldview. I thought about everything I hold on to, from nostalgic books and letters to clothes and I realized... it will get thrown out. None of it matters.
ReplyDeleteEven today, we still have so much stuff. Stuff crowds our room. Stuff is hoarded away in boxes deep down in the basement. What for? For the off chance that someday we might need that random thing? I barely even know what exists in those boxes. What I've found is that everything I've had a need for, God has provided for. Even silly things...like when I moved into my first apartment. God provided the plates, the microwave, the couches... all through other roommates. And he's still doing stuff like that today.
It's like the church of Acts in Acts 2. We should all share our possessions so no one is without. Or the Macedonians of 2 Corinthians. If someone has a need and you have plenty, give what you have. Someday you will have a need, and someone will provide. God takes care of us. Let's let him. Let's stop clinging to the false comfort of THINGS and actually let God be God.
Let's do it.
I used to be super materialistic to the extreme. I think I still have far too much but at the sam time I don't have a lot compared to many who I know in the country we live in. At the same time compared to other countries I still have far too many things. It makes me sad and upset with myself.
ReplyDeleteI think it is rather a tricky issue... because who are we supposed to compare ourselves to? I agree, Victoria... I don't have a lot compared to others in this country, and then I see how little people in OTHER countries have and I realize I have a lot.
ReplyDeleteWrestling with what we hold on to in our lives is very important. What God cares about is our heart and our willingness to respond to him. He never explicitly says, "You can only have five shirts," but to care for the needy and to obey him. I think we just need to pray for the ability to "sell all we possess and give to the poor" if he asks us. That is definitely a difficult thing to do in our country and worldview, so we need to pray for that spirit.
After assuming that I'd be wearing any clothing I would want (including a hat, gloves, and jacket), I figured that I'd bring:
ReplyDeleteMy Bible
A Devotional (perhaps on the Lord's provision, or contentment, specifically)
Multitool
Flashlight
Long Dagger
And I realize that the list I made, and the clothes I'd be wearing is SOO much more than what many people have around the world. Lord have mercy on us all!
-zg