Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Protecting what is "Mine"

"Mom, Did they eat my cereal?" my three-year old asked as I helped him finish up in the bathroom.

"No, they have their own cereal, I'm sure they didn't take yours." I replied.

Wanting a little more reassurance he asked, "Did you tell them not to eat my cereal?"

"No, but I'm sure your cereal is safe."

Ah, Human nature is a lovely thing.

I can so relate with my son's fears. Desiring to protect what is "mine." Even when there is plenty to go around...

It reminds me of a story I heard recently. (I believe it comes from Randy Alcorn.)

A man prepared a package. Lovingly he wrapped all the items, covered them with bubble wrap and packed them safely in a box to be delivered to a loved one.

Once the package was ready, it was time to be delivered. The man handed the delivery man the package and watched as the delivery man carried the parcel to his truck, sat down, ripped open the package, threw it over on the passenger seat and prepared to drive off.

Shocked at the delivery man's actions, the sender ran out to the truck.

"What are you doing? Why did you open my package?"

"Well," the delivery man replied as he drove off, "you gave it to me."

Who am I in that story? I am the delivery man. God has given me many gifts. I like to think they are mine to keep. I try to protect them. Like my son, I worry that someone will take "mine" or I will run out.

I think about this story a lot as I sit in a nice house surrounded by stuff. It motivates me to spend less on myself so I have more to share with others.

But honestly, I can feel materialism's grip on me. It is so hard to resist the urge to buy more stuff. Stuff I really don't need (although I am very good at convincing myself otherwise). I give in to that urge way more than I'd like to admit.

I want to do better. I want to keep the eternal in mind. I want to spend less on myself so I have more to give. I want to be free of materialism's grip.

But it is so hard.

I don't think I am alone in this struggle.

How do you lessen materialism's hold on your life?

I would love to know your thoughts.

5 comments:

Holli said...

honestly, I can feel materialism's grip on me. It is so hard to resist the urge to buy more stuff. Stuff I really don't need (although I am very good at convincing myself otherwise). I give in to that urge way more than I'd like to admit.
- Holli J. K.....
(ok so you wrote them first but well it sums it up for me too.)
We have been thinking and praying about this too. can't wait to see your other comments!

Erin said...

Great post. It's good to be back in blog-world...and I just tagged you!

Jessica said...

Oh, if only we could conqure this beast of the "babylonian" monster inside us all. In our culture we have a few choices, either be consumed by the "stuff" and try to get more of it, or resist the stuff and get more of God. Why is it so hard??? I say, we all decide that NONE of us is going to buy anything again, then it will be easier :)

The book I gave you today has been helping me so much to be more thankful and to be more aware of how much less I really could live on.

Also, in our Crown Financial group this go-around, we have had some really great testimonies of how people have given and given where it hurts most and have received blessings beyond imagination...not only financial blessings but more importantly, spiritual blessings.

I think anything we do can be addicting, either spending as well as giving. And I think giving is one GREAT addiction!

Rebekah said...

great post Megan!

ps. you've been tagged.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Hi...over here from Lysa's blog. Materialism isn't so much my struggle when it comes to protecting what is mine. But other things (those giftings that have come to me by God) I tend to keep a close reign on them. Things like my time; my compassion; my prayers, etc.

Kids are such wonderful teachers. They speak the penchant of their hearts. Mine certainly have over the years. The lessons that have come to me through them have been invaluable. Thanks for sharing.

peace~elaine