Stuff and other stuff

We all have stuff (which by the way is a uniquely American word).

We see it, want it, buy it, display it, insure it and compare it with other people's stuff.

As John Ortberg writes, "We talk about whether or not they have too much stuff; we envy or pass judgement on other people's collections of stuff.  We collect our own little pile.  We imagine that if that pile got big enough, we would feel successful or secure."

When you buy a house - what do you do?  You put your stuff in it.

You keep getting more stuff - and then you need a bigger house.

George Carlin once said that a "house is a pile of stuff with a cover on it."

Hard to believe that some people have lived without one - like Jesus.

I was reading today that there are now more than 30,000 self-storage facilities in our country offering over a billion square feet for people to store their stuff.

In the 1960's, this industry did not exist.

We now spend $12 billion a year just to pay someone to store our extra stuff!

Some people need a "stuff exorcist."  ;)

Someone to help them get rid of their "stuff".

Yet, let me take you in a different, yet related direction.

Did you know that God owns a lot of stuff?

David writes in Psalms 31:19, "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which  you bestow in the sight of men or those who take refuge in you."

God has a storage facility full of goodness. 

God's got goodness in storage that belongs to those who have a relationship with Him - who are connected to Him,.  He has stuff that He wants to share, is ready to share, and desire to share with those who love Him and are obedient to His commands.

The question becomes:  what kind of stuff do you crave?

Earthly, temporary stuff?  Or heavenly, eternal stuff?

Just a thought for a Thursday