The Urge To Purge… Hello weekend readers. As the Black Friday stuff continues, I am trying to keep away from the “urge to purge” because honestly there are a lot of good deals right now but I don’t need it​ but the question begs in my mind “it’s a good deal take it” and immediately I feel a bop on the head—yep she’s here—the Holy Spirit and truth be told, I’m glad she keeps me on the right path.

We just finished a wonderful time of Thanksgiving. Laughter, food, family, friends—all the making of a wonderful time. Did we remember those who have no turkey? Did we give thanks to the Lord for all that he gives us? Holidays can get crazy and we easily run with the crowd instead of stopping and taking the time to thank God and all those we love.

Here’s a fun and true story: “One day a mother was trying to teach her daughter a lesson about giving. So she gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar bill before going to church and told her, “Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself.” On the way home she asked her daughter what she had given in the offering plate. Her response is precious: “Oh mom, I was going to give that dollar, but when the pastor said God loves a cheerful giver, I knew I’d be more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so that’s what I did.”

Here is some wisdom from an NPR Study about “stuff” 1) Those over 25 to 45 want to have stuff because it fits with the society we live in; 2) At 50 years, folks have difficulty getting rid of unneeded possessions. It is hard to let them go because it’s like your life is coming to an end; and 3) Gen-Z folks could care less about stuff, they don’t like clutter and they enjoy purchasing items from GoodWill and other stores like it.

So, what is it about us that loves to hang onto our stuff? We know we can’t keep it forever. But in these times, many folks think that their material possessions will make them happy and maybe more lasting joy. These are not folks who don’t have faith, our problem with stuff is across the entire spectrum.

The truth is: “No amount of material wealth can ever fulfill us.” Say it to yourself every morning when you wake up so you stop wanting things you don’t need. God wants to liberate us from our dependence on our “stuff” and that is why he invites us to invest in His purposes instead. It’s not that our stuff is bad, it’s just that our stuff makes terrible gods if we hold on to them.

In Colossians 3:1–4 using The Message Bible, the Apostle Paul tells us: “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.”

In closing, let’s free from the love of worldly things by using them for God’s glory. When we think of our stuff as God’s belongings we’ll experience much more joy as we give it all back to Him! In doing so, we have an attitude of generosity and thankfulness which we can share for so many people who have no stuff and need help. That’s kind of what our holiday of Thanksgiving is about, right? It’s not about Black Friday and Football, it’s about sharing, caring and loving one another and that’s the real “touch-down!” AMEN.