What Are Your Prized Possessions?

I’ve had many conversations these past few weeks, but it seems a central idea has arisen from several perspectives. What do you prize the most? What will happen to your possessions after you’re gone? Do you know if your legacy will survive?

Immediately, I thought about my collection of “stuff” that means a lot to me and my memories. That red rubber knife sitting in the pencil holder that I bought several times as a kid. Those remaining two red dominoes from a birthday gift during the same time. Tools, coins, books, gadgets…

The list is seemingly endless of the things I love to hold near because they spark my memory to wander down trails of my past!

Then, the comment arose about all these “things and what’s going to happen to them after we’re gone.” Will they be cherished by another generation? Probably not, except that someone may have good memories about me because I bequeathed it to them.

I have nothing from my dad’s parents, except for memories. From my mom’s parents, I have a couple of articles that I treasure, but I’m not sure what to do with them as I age. My granddad’s .22 rifle, and my grandmother’s sewing kit and recipe box. My dad? I have his bible and a couple of other items he gave me through the years.

Prized possessions, ’tis true, but will they be after I’m gone?

Think About It

We all have things we think are important. The clutter of our closets, drawers, and shelves proves this fact. Don’t even ask about the garage or storage shed! Are the contents priceless? No. They mean something only to me. Press the point with me… Is there any value at all? Sure. If I wanted it today, it would probably cost me something different than when I first acquired.

Early morning social media put me in touch with someone who is selling their 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger. Not exactly what I had as a teenager, but close enough to consider. Do I want something like this? Sure. But at $27,00? Nope! Retirement is more important!

Everything we claim as possessions cost us something. Time. Money. Even storage costs must be factored.

What’s the true cost of these possessions? People who focus on decluttering life say that it’s history if you haven’t touched it in 6 months. That’s a general rule that doesn’t apply to everything, but the idea is sincere. Those old clothes you thought you might fit in someday? They take up valuable real estate that make you want to buy a bigger house! Unload, and save your money! Be content with a smaller budget so you can survive longer!

Scriptural Principle

Jesus taught a parable about a “rich man” who had so much that he was prepared to tear down his existing storage and build bigger storage just to house his stuff. (Luke 12:13-21) Yet, consider the fact that what he had produced bountifully and he had more than he needed for himself. This gives me pause to consider what I need versus what I want or what I can own.

In fact, this is probably the same scenario we are in today. So many “rich” people just keep building bigger bank accounts. Is it wrong? Not necessarily. Their fields produced great value. Do they need all they’ve earned? Probably not. What do we do about it? Nothing. Perhaps it’s up to God, or the market system to control the results.

It’s the poor we have among us all the time. (Matthew 26:11) I’m not talking about beggars, rather, it’s those who struggle to make improvements in their life for the long-range. Is it our job to give them a hand up? Perhaps. Yet, knowing the poor will always be here do we do them any good just giving to them? Have you heard that varied adage amalgamated into a statement something like this:

Give a man a fish
And you feed him for the moment.
Teach a man to fish
And you feed him for a lifetime. [Source]

Jesus did not teach this. Listen to how he speaks to the ruler who is later identified as one having much wealth (great possessions). But the words of Jesus to that certain ruler ring back,

“If you want to be perfect, go,
sell what you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
(Matthew 19:21)

Key Thought

We could focus on the sacrifice, or the wealth lost, or the poor lifted up. But Jesus is giving three key thoughts that have nothing to do with what you do with your wealth.

1. Do you want to be Perfect? The connotation of this word is one of being “complete”. We want perfection in our looks, family, career, and finances. Wait, what about health? Friends? Being complete is more about the whole person and not just one segment.
2. Treasure in Heaven. Are we not in this for eternity and not the sunshine of this momentary place? You can take nothing with you, except your recorded deeds of a life well-lived. Who you help here gives you a record to celebrate there!
3. Follow Christ. Jesus told a certain scribe he didn’t even have a place to lay his head. We don’t know who to, or what was done with the statement, but it was during his time of building his cadre of followers. Maybe he joined up, maybe not.

Maybe this is the right time to consider our Prized Possessions and take a hard accounting of why we value them so much. How many things will you take with you as you leave this life? Nothing? Well, pass them along to others, and focus on getting through this life with the best possible future in sight!

Become complete. Store up treasures in heaven. Follow Jesus.