Money & Stuff

This morning I've been thinking (and thinking, and thinking) about the passage I read today in Mark 10. A wealthy man comes to Jesus and asks how he can "inherit eternal life." Jesus tells the man to sell everything, give it to the poor, and then come and follow Jesus.

While I know that in this passage Jesus is not saying that everyone should sell everything they have and give it to the poor (Jesus interacted differently with Matthew and Zacchaeus, two wealthy followers of Jesus)... I do know that Jesus is saying something really crucial for me to grab ahold of: Don't let money and stuff own my heart.

And that happens pretty quickly in this very wealthy land of ours. (I know... it's tax day, so lots of us aren't feeling wealthy!... but in comparison to the world, we are VERY wealthy). It's so easy to go "bargain hunting" for things I don't need. It's so easy to see something nice and rather than just appreciate it, to really start wanting it. (How many home make-over shows have made me want a new kitchen or bathroom?)

I keep wondering... would it be possible for me to go a whole year without buying things I don't need, in the categories I am most often tempted in? Can I go a whole year without buying clothes? (I have a whole closet full!) Can I go a whole year without buying a new book (yikes... that's a really scary thought... I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms already). Can I go a whole year without buying a new knick-knack for the house? Or how about this... can I simply stop stocking the shelves with things I do need (like toothpaste) and only buy when I really do need it? (It may take a year to use up some of the items on the shelves now!) Anyone else interested in this challenge? I think I'd need others trying this who could keep me on track if I'm going to do this...

This also makes me think about The Loop. I continue to work through budgeting for our new church. And I wonder... how can we structure our budget so that we can be as generous as possible?