Possessions & Affections

Bert and his wife traveled to one estate sale after another in search of abandoned treasure. Their pursuit: antiques and well-worn furniture they could repair, repaint and repurpose for their upcycling business. What they hadn’t expected to find were clues to the prior owners’ affections.

“One woman had an abundance of dishes and decorations for every major holiday,” observed Bert. “Clearly, she loved to host.”

In contrast, another house had a single set of utensils, mismatched plates and a basic dining room set. Photos and other evidence of her beloved pets, however, were abundant.

“Their possessions revealed who or what they loved,” he reflected.

Bert’s conclusion is an intriguing one. For most of us, a simple home inventory would quickly reveal our affections. Indeed, our stuff is always telling stories.

What is your stuff saying to others about whom or what you love?

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul warned Timothy about the perils of misplaced adoration.

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10, NIV, emphasis added)

Notice Paul wasn’t calling “money” in itself the “root of all kinds of evil.” Rather, it’s loving money and accumulating it at all costs that create ruin and destruction. Chasing, adoring and hoarding stuff never ends well.

On the other hand, wisely stewarding whatever God-entrusted resources we’ve been given is our spiritual duty. Using money to bring glory to Christ and to pour out His love to others is a good, life-giving and holy assignment.

Consider Paul’s further instructions to Timothy about wealth.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV)

In these verses, it becomes clear that having stuff is not the problem. Money is not a dirty word in God’s economy.

The problem comes when money becomes the object of our affection rather than a tool to be used by Him. In other words, it’s not what we have, but how we use it.

All that we have is a gift from God – a gift that was meant to be shared.

After all, our stuff is always telling stories. What is your stuff saying about whom or what you love?

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This content is written as part of Generosity Today (2024, Issue 2).