Possessions

Life Notes—October 15, 2009 

“…Take care!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”  Luke 12:15                                   

Sometimes I get totally obsessed with wanting something.  Not needing it, mind you, just wanting it.  Often it is not some inexpensive item either, but a major purchase by our standards.  I research it diligently to learn more about which variation of the ‘thing’ will best meet my desire.  Then I’ll research its cost, availability, places where I can buy it and other information that may be important as I move towards a possible purchase.  Often, if the ‘thing’ is relatively abundant, I will watch how its availability and price change over a period of a time.  Most often the last things I do (which should be the first things) are to pray about the purchase and discuss it with my wife.  Of course, by the time these two critical conversations have occurred, I have long decided this purchase is not only necessary, but the time is now to buy it.  And very little that God or Carrie could say is going to change my mind at that point… 

Am I alone?  I often wonder if this type of purchasing strategy is more of a ‘guy’ thing.  It’s not unlike hunting or fishing, formerly life-critical activities rooted deep in our common ancestry.  Significant time is spent preparing for the actual capture of some unsuspecting animal.  The difference, of course, is I’m talking about a possession—a guitar or a car—not dinner. 

What I sometimes find is I enjoy the search, the ‘hunt’ for the items as much or more than the item itself.  Sometimes I have hunted for months for a desired thing—once it was an accordion—only to have it sit and collect dust following its capture.  Unlike hunting for dinner, the actual hunt for another possession may be more life-giving than the possession itself.  If it doesn’t enhance one’s life, it is not a wise purchase.  I am reminded of the many sayings with the moral: the joy is in the journey… I need to be careful about distinguishing between life-enhancing possessions and life-draining possessions.  I need to find joyful journeys that do not terminate in an unwise purchase.  How about you? 

Tom will continue his sermon series on the book Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity, by Rev. Adam Hamilton.  This week’s sermon title is, “Cultivating Commitment.”  The scripture reading is Luke 12:13-21.  Life Worship begins at 10:45 in Brady Hall.  Traditional worship is at 8:30 and 11:00 in the sanctuary.  Contemporary worship begins at 9:30 at the west campus. 

Come home to worship this Sunday!

Greg Hildenbrand, Life Music Coordinator