Matthew 19:21 Jesus said, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Personally, I'm really not worried so much about treasure in heaven, but I am concerned about having true treasure while here on earth, which I believe has nothing much to do with tangible items. I joked with friends not long ago that we could likely live without 90% of our possessions, that I actually thought that most of us could manage with much less than what we claim we need to survive in this world. Shortly after speaking these words, I found myself selling and/or giving away most of our possessions. I realized that we really couldn't afford a moving van and gas to get the bulk of our things to the next destination. And so I decided that rather than spend money we didn't have, that maybe we could make a little money to help us get to the next point, and help others at the same time. And that we did. Between a book store, an antique dealer and a consignment shop, we were able to make a little. That which was not worth much, we gave away to Salvation Army. And we moved, with one car load of possessions, plus some boxes that my mother and sister were able to store for us.
It turned out that all that was really important in the end were a few items of clothing, books, photos, toys, electronics, our bikes, toiletries, linens and kitchen items. We saved some artwork, heirloom china, and some holiday decorations. But the bulk of what we'd hung onto for so long was really, in the end, not worth hanging onto. Rather it was weighing us down. It was keeping us from being free to do what Jesus really intends for us to do, which is to follow Him.
So it is with a much lighter load that we transition into the next chapter of life, having given almost all of it away. I do wish to be complete, to be whole, to follow Jesus. I'll let you know how it goes. And we'd love to hear how it goes for you too! Please stay in touch.
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