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Friday, September 24, 2004
I've been thinking about America's Never-Ending Garage Sale (eBay). People have extra stuff. They let you know that you can buy their extra stuff. You can buy stuff you want. Other people might want it, too, so you try to outbid them. Then you pay for the stuff. Then they mail the stuff to you. Now you have extra stuff.
I've also been thinking about people that don't have stuff. Or maybe they need stuff. Floridians need fresh water or food to prepare for yet another storm coming. Haitians need drainage help for the same reason. People in barrios in Mexico need more permanent shelters. Native Americans need schoolbooks. A child my student ministry sponsors needs medical help and clothes.
The two aren't necessarily related. I mean, I'm not anti-stuff. I'm far from a minimalist (although there's an admirable nod to that philosophy).
But I look at Acts 2: 44 & 45, "And all those who believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need."
God graciously provided the early church with extra stuff. They sold their stuff. They shared the profits from their stuff with those that had a need.
The mind vitamin today is obvious to me: Look at your stuff. Look for needs. Find a way to use your stuff to meet a need or two. And, don't be afraid to loosely define "stuff." It could be your time, or a written note, cash for a NEED, or even just listening to somebody...but try to serve somebody else.
Journal prompt: "The greatest lie I have ever contended with is this: That life is a story about me."--Donald Miller
Brent 5:18 AM
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