I stand corrected, and I stand convicted. I'm busy cleaning out my closet. The heap of "bargains" is growing on the floor of my closet. I'm ashamed. Really. The waste both of time and money. In the background, as my own frustration with myself is growing, the words of the Gospel of Matthew are heard on my CD player. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures where moth and rust destroy....", he reads while I clean. What can we say when we hear the truth? We can either shut off the CD player, or respond. (The timing was amazing!) The sin of materialism isn't just a waste of time and money, it's a "waste of the heart"- the one God created as a home for His presence. The pure heart He longs for me to have. While God loves me, He still desires to change me. Returning now to complete the job!
8 comments:
That's a tough one. I too, found myself doing that one day about 2 months ago. Off to the 2nd hand store went most of my excesses. I don't consider myself a frivolous spender, but even bargain shopping turns into too much stuff if it's not needed. I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that I will never have this "Christlikeness" figured out this side of heaven. Every time I am getting one area to yield, God brings another one to my attention. Thankfully He's merciful and patient!
That is the truth, Traci. I was just telling the kids about the verse, " He who has begun, begun, begun, a good work in you...." an so on.
Thanks for sharing from the heart Kathy! Stung a little on this end too. This process of becoming is difficult and daily. Thanks for being so transparent. I too stand convicted.
Is this your covert way of saying you looked in my closet on Easter?
Thanks for sharing your shared conviction!
I pretty much experienced the same thing when I was getting ready to move. I wondered where " got all this stuff". After all, it had only been one year since my previous move. I ended up giving away a "ton of stuff" to friends, church and the local Savers Thrift store. And I still had more stuff that I didn't need or use. I wanted to keep it; even though I really didn't need it. My reasoning was that I MIGHT need it sometime. That is where I was "challenged" to let go of the stuff. Thus; another car load of my precious belongings to Savers! Guess what? I don't miss any of it!
Isn't it funny how it's hard to let go of stuff we don't even need! How crazy is that. The Lord has so much better for us. Letting go (even spiritually speaking) to make room seems like a good idea.
(Kristi-didn't peak....this time!)
Maybe you can store it up and when Mr. Obama comes knocking and mentions you have more than you need and you should be ashar'n...You can just agree quickly and say here take this stuff...
If he comes to my house...I'm sending him next door...they have two jobs and should be ashar'n with me...*; )
That's a whole 'nother perspective, Nancy! : ) Why didn't I think of that!!
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