In 1900, the average American could list thirteen things that were essential to a normal life. By 2000, that list had grown to over 90 things. That’s right from thirteen necessities to ninety necessary things.
Matthew 6:24-33 reminds us that God will take care our things as long as we care for his kingdom. But I still find myself so concerned about trying to grab all the things I see my friends desperately clutching that I have no energy left for pursuing the kingdom.
I imagine that in today’s more complicated world, a person can be totally devoted to God and still need more than the 19th century’s thirteen things. But I’m absolutely convicted that if I desperately grab for everything I see my neighbors grab for, I’m going to miss many opportunities for expanding God’s influence.
Things I used to think were necessities that I wonder about after 4 months of unemployment:
- Vacation
- A different set of clothes for every different occasion
- A car for each adult member of the family
- Throwing away left-over food
- Storing things because “we might need it some day”
One of the things I want to regularly dialogue with God about is “where am I wasting energy in holding on to something that you want me to release?”