Simplicity and Stuff (Part 2)

“Possession is an illusion in the light of the Kingdom. What do you possess? Wait a few years—we’ll see how much you possess when you’re six feet under! You don’t possess anything.” Richard Rohr

This 10-minute audio podcast is Part 2 of 3 episodes on Simplicity and Stuff.

Some suggested simplifiers (adapted from Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline)

Give something important away…Find one possession that you value, and ask God, “Am I growing too attached to this object? Is it becoming a treasure to me?”
If you make more than you need, ask God to show you what to do with the surplus… giving…
Buy things for their usefulness rather than status; for their utility not their prestige…
Don’t buy something new before you need it. Use things till they’re worn out…
Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
Develop a habit of giving things away… De-acculmulate… Simplify!
Refuse to be manipulated by the media into believing that they know better than you do about what you actually need.
Don’t be duped by the salesmen of modern gadgetry…
Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Share stuff with others… Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it.
Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. It’s usually free of charge!
Avoid buying more than you can afford on credit… Be patient…You don’t have to have it now…
Try a week-long “Fast” of all unnecessary shopping/buying/spending…Don’t buy anything except what sustains your life (like food and supplies)…

Happy simplifying!