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Campus Life, March/April 2005
Me, My Stuff and I
Are you too into your stuff?
by Amy Adair
Whenever you turn on the TV, tune into the radio or surf the web, you see ads for stuff, stuff and … more stuff. Sure, things are important. But sometimes it's tough to remember that things aren't as important as friends, family and faith. Are you thinking a little too much about clothes, cars and cash? Take this quiz and find out.
1. Your best friend is holding your cell phone when he slips and falls. He's OK, but the phone's broken! He tells you he doesn't have the money to replace it. You:
A. Are more concerned with how he's doing. You know he'll replace the phone whenever he can.
B. Tell him you're glad he's OK, then ask if he can pay you a little bit every couple of weeks until you have enough money to replace your phone.
C. Refuse to talk to him until he replaces it.
2. Your parents just traded in their old car for a used minivan. You:
A. Are glad you won't be squished between your two brothers anymore.
B. Ask your dad if you can use the money you were saving for a DVD player to buy one for the van.
C. Are totally embarrassed. There's no way you're riding in a lame minivan.
3. Your sister's getting a total room makeover. You:
A. Volunteer to photograph "before" and "after" pictures of her room.
B. Help her out. That'll help you think of ideas for your own room. You can't wait till it's your turn.
C. Are jealous of all her new things.
4. Your best friend accidentally left the price tag on your birthday present. You:
A. Look away while she peels it off.
B. Sneak a peek; when you buy her birthday present, you can try to spend the same amount.
C. Feel slighted when you see she bought it for 50 percent off.
5. Your friends would probably say you:
A. Never show off your new things.
B. Sometimes talk about your things, but it's because you like to share—not to show off.
C. Love to brag about your stuff.
6. When you pray you:
A. Are thankful for all you have.
B. Praise God, but sometimes ask for some things too.
C. Always pray for more stuff.
7. You strike up a conversation with the new kid at youth group. You:
A. Think he's super nice and you could be good friends with him.
B. Like his great sense of humor and can't help but notice his cool clothes.
C. Check out his $200 shoes and wish they were yours.
8. When your friend shows off her new MP3 player you:
A. Think it's cool, but the radio is good enough for you.
B. Are happy. She won't have to borrow your Walkman anymore.
C. Compare hers to yours and realize yours is way too outdated.
9. You're going on a mountain biking trip with your youth group. To get ready, you:
A. Tune up your old bike by pumping up the tires and oiling the chain.
B. Buy new, heavy-duty tires so you'll have a much better and easier ride.
C. Ask your parents to buy you a new bike—there's no way your old one will do.
10. Your brother just bought a new laptop to take to college. So he gives you his old computer. You:
A. Are happy you finally have your own computer.
B. Spend money rebuilding it to make it the super-computer of your dreams.
C. Complain about how unfair it is that your brother gets a new computer and you're stuck with an old one.
11. You feel like people judge you by:
A. Your personality.
B. Mostly by how you act, but also how you dress.
C. All the stuff you have and the car you drive.
12. Your parents promised to help you buy a car, but you have to pick up some of the monthly payments and expenses. You have exactly $150 a month to spend. You:
A. Buy an old-but-reliable used car that will cost $100 a month, then save the rest of your money for gas and insurance.
B. Find a slightly newer car that will cost $125 a month and use the leftover cash to help with upkeep.
C. Beg your parents to help you buy a cool-looking car that will cost about $200 a month.
SCORING:
Mostly A's: Less is better. It sounds like you're not easily impressed with stuff. You're more concerned about who people are than what they own or how they dress. Sure, there are things you want, but you rarely let those wants control you. Good for you. To help you continue to keep your priorities in check read Matthew 6:33.
Mostly B's: Balancing act. You're constantly trying to balance the stuff you need with the stuff you want. While you try not to judge people by the way they look or what they're wearing, sometimes you just can't help yourself. It's OK to want nice things—just don't let things rule your life. If you find yourself falling into the trap of wanting more, read and study Matthew 6:19-21.
Mostly C's: Stuff matters. Things are really important to you. You're constantly noticing what people wear and what kind of things they have. You're also really aware of the things you don't have. And even though it seems like more stuff will make you happier, it's not really true. Check out Philippians 4:4-8 to find out more about true happiness.
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Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Campus Life.
March/April 2005, Vol. 63, No. 8, Page 54
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