Stuff, Stuff, Stuff. Does it really matter?
I recently came across a story regarding our nation’s obsession with stuff. You know, the things that we perceive we need and will do anything to obtain. It stated that there are now more than 30,000 self-storage facilities in our country that offer over 1 billion (yes, I said billion) square feet for people to store their stuff. It was only just a few decades ago where this industry didn’t even exist. America now spends over $12 billion dollars annually to store our stuff that we can’t fit into our current homes.
John Ortberg mentions the pursuit of stuff in one of his books and brings up the story of William Randolph Hearst. You might remember him as the owner of the Hearst Castle in California. William Hearst was a ‘stuffaholic’. He had 3,500 year-old Egyptian statues, medieval Flemish tapestries, and centuries-old hand card ceilings, and some of the greatest works of art of all time. He built a 72,000 square foot house to put his ‘stuff’ in. He bought some property to build this ‘house’ on which was a mere 265, 000 acres. He at one time owned 0 miles of the California coastline. He spent most of his eighty years collecting stuff, then something amazing happened… HE DIED!
Nothing went with him, it was all left behind. You might ask, and for what purpose? You might find one worth investing some brain cells to justify, but for me, I just think of all the ways that money could have been used to help others. Don’t get me wrong, I have my stuff as well. Each of us have a way in justifying what stuff we truly need. In most cases, what we ‘need’ is a distant reach from what we really ‘need.’ The older I get, the more I don’t need stuff to measure my worth, value, comfort or significance, quite the contrary. I find greater joy in giving away my stuff to help others in need.
Here are some sobering thoughts to consider about your ‘stuff’ mentioned by Mr. Ortberg in his book, “When it is all over, it all goes back in the Box.”
- Stuff is not treasure – Smart players are clear on what lasts and what doesn’t. It is wise to store up treasure in what is eternal: God and people.
- Stuff cannot belong to me – The Bible says, “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” God goes on to say, “The silver is mine and the gold is mine.” You are simply a steward of His resources.
- Stuff cannot last – Go to your county dump and take a look at the piles of stuff. Stuff will lose is luster, just give it time.
- Stuff cannot make you free – Getting more stuff doesn’t make you free; quite the contrary. The more you have the more you have to manage.
- Stuff cannot make you happy – It may for a moment, but the reality is, the excitement wears off soon, and you just are looking for the next upgrade.
- Stuff cannot make you secure – We come into this world naked and penniless; we’re going out in the same fashion. Our current economic crash has shown us one thing, our money and possessions are the place to put our security.
- Stuff can help me become rich toward God – We we give our ‘stuff’ away, there is something very special that happens. We receive the very thing we wanted in the first place; joy, fulfillment, satisfaction and genuine peace. Stuff can’t give that to you, but giving it away sure can.
Why not do a ‘stuff’ inventory today? You might consider clearing out the storage unit, or garage and giving it to someone in need. You might even have a garage sale and donate the money to a needy charity. You never know, you just might feel a little better about yourself.
If you really want a fresh challenge, check out John’s book:
it was very interesting to read.
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