July 4, Your Stuff

Today’s reading: Psalms 16-20

“I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing’” - Psalm 16:2.

In today’s verse, David made a clear statement of commitment and devotion to the Lord. Perhaps it’s a good thing that David did not live in our materialistic age, where the emphasis is to own cars and more cars, clothes and trendier clothes, games and more complex games, homes and bigger homes. When you invest so much into the things along with their care and maintenance, those things can begin to own you instead of you owning them. Paul wrote about contentment to the Philippians:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13).

Are you hoarding things? Are you struggling with some of your stuff having a hold on you? Is that interfering with your peace in the Lord? Is it time to divest yourself of some of your possessions, going through your drawers, closet, garage, attic, library or other storage unit to eliminate some of your clutter?