Patti Burris

Matthew 6:19-21

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I have been thinking about this verse a lot lately as those in Louisiana deal with the aftermath of the devastating floods that have left people homeless and grieving for all they have lost. So, how much is to much? Where is that line between storing up treasures on Earth and storing up treasures in Heaven?

I guess for me, it is when you start working to support your lifestyle. Instead of enjoying life, you are working to live. You are exhausted from working to pay your bills and are to tired to enjoy life when you are off. When you have material possessions that you don’t need, but you had to have just because. When you buy, buy, buy just to stay up with a current fad. When your stuff starts to suck the life out of you and you have no time or energy left for what’s important.

You get stuck on the hamster wheel of life and don’t know how to get off. So, how much is too much?

Luke 9:3

³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.

This is what Jesus commanded the 12 to take with them. Jesus, himself, owned nothing. I’m not saying that I think Jesus wants us all to be homeless. I’m saying that Jesus wants us to live simply. He wants us to live within our means. He wants us to have the time, energy and resources to give to others who are in need. Do you really NEED that big fancy house? Do you really NEED that luxury car? Do you really NEED a 60 inch flat screen T.V. with surround sound? It is all nice to have, but is it a NEED?  Could you give up those things and give the profits to those in need?

Let the Holy Spirit guide you. If you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to downsize then do it. Let the disaster in Louisiana lead us all into reflection on how much is to much. Let the grief of millions of people in other man-made and natural disasters challenge you to live simply. It could happen to any of us. You could lose everything you own tomorrow and there is nothing you can do about it. Is it all worth it? How can you simplify your time? How can you simplify your possessions? How can you simplify your life and have more time for the things that are important to God?

I am reflecting changes in my own life. If you would like to share what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, feel free to contact me. I would love to hear your story.