Attached

ByJim Stephens

Reading: 1 Corinthians 7; Proverbs 26

Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away. (1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT)

This little verse has prompted some serious thinking and evaluation this morning! My question for me today: Am I making the best use of “the things of this world” or am I becoming too attached to them?

When our family moved from Oregon to a village in the central highlands of Jamaica in 1984, we took only what we could carry on the plane with us. While we were there, we accumulated a houseful of necessary “things of this world.” When we left Jamaica, we gave it all away to friends and neighbors.

When we moved to the UK in 1992, we took only what we could carry on the plane with us. While we were there, we accumulated a houseful of necessary “things of this world.” When we left London, we gave it all away to friends and neighbors.

Now, living in our comfortable home in Oregon, we’ve accumulated a houseful of necessary “things of this world.” (Along with a few unnecessary things!) I wonder if I could give it all away to friends and neighbors if the time came to move on?

Actually, the time will come to move on someday for me and you and all of us! And we’ll make the move from here to eternity with only what we can “carry on the plane!”

Makes me think seriously friends! Am I too attached to my stuff? If I have something I can’t let go of, I don’t own it, it owns me! Am I making good use of my “things of this world,” or is my stuff controlling me?

How about you? Need to make a few trips to Goodwill or your favorite charity store? Need to give some stuff to your kids now instead of letting them fight over it when you’re gone? Need to give some prized possessions to some valued friends?

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for this few hours of challenging “inventory” you’ve led me through this morning. I pray for me and for my friends who read this that we’ll not be too “attached” to our stuff to let it go when we should. For we will certainly let it go someday! Amen.