Staying Freed Up
Theme of the Week: Downsizing with Class
Patrick Morley
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: If your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life (Psalm 62:10). Bonus Reading: Luke 12:16-21
How do you decide what you'll buy and own? For seven years my wife and I owned a weekend lake house just outside of town. Virtually every Friday afternoon we'd "kidnap" our children and spend the weekend doing country things.
When our daughter turned 11, though, her in-town friends became very important to her. We only went to the lake house once that year, so I decided to sell the property to a neighbor who'd expressed an interest in purchasing it. That decision, and similar ones I've made since—to not own anything we don't use on a regular basis—has kept my wife and me lean and responsive to God's leading in our lives.
A neighbor of mine owns a 1957 Chris Craft Sportsman inboard boat. It's magnificent. He's completely restored the mahogany to its original luster. I love the throaty purr of its engine when he drives by.
Three years ago I told him that I'd be interested if he ever wanted to sell the boat. He recently decided to take me up on that offer. But as we prepared to close the deal, I had second thoughts. I concluded that I shouldn't buy something just because I can, that denying myself the boat would be a good lesson in self-restraint and personal discipline.
—Patrick Morley in New Man
My Response: How can I tell whether I own my things or they own me?
Thought to Apply: He has much who needs least. Don't create necessities for yourself. —JOSÉ ESCRIVA (Spanish founder of Opus Dei)
Adapted from New Man (7-8/00) by permission.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Lord, help me to hold my belongings loosely so that I'm not diverted from Your Kingdom priorities.
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