“Possession is an illusion in the light of the Kingdom. What do you possess? Wait a few years—we’ll see how much you possess when you’re six feet under! You don’t possess anything.” Richard Rohr
This 10-minute audio podcast is Part 2 of 3 episodes on Simplicity and Stuff.
Some suggested simplifiers (adapted from Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline)
- Give something important away…Find one possession that you value, and ask God, “Am I growing too attached to this object? Is it becoming a treasure to me?”
- If you make more than you need, ask God to show you what to do with the surplus… giving…
- Buy things for their usefulness rather than status; for their utility not their prestige…
- Don’t buy something new before you need it. Use things till they’re worn out…
- Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
- Develop a habit of giving things away… De-acculmulate… Simplify!
- Refuse to be manipulated by the media into believing that they know better than you do about what you actually need.
- Don’t be duped by the salesmen of modern gadgetry…
- Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Share stuff with others… Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. It’s usually free of charge!
- Avoid buying more than you can afford on credit… Be patient…You don’t have to have it now…
- Try a week-long “Fast” of all unnecessary shopping/buying/spending…Don’t buy anything except what sustains your life (like food and supplies)…
Happy simplifying!
barney wiget 