What is your relationship to the ‘stuff’ of your life? How do you understand your possessions?
Marie Kondo is a Japanese born woman who lives in Los Angeles, CA. Apparently, from a young age, she was obsessed with straightening things up. And while her classmates would be out at recess, she would be in the classroom, straightening up the book shelves. (And I am like, “Who gives up recess for anything other than food?”) She became famous for her organizational skills. And, as you may know, she is the star of Netflix’s hit show, “Tidying up with Marie Kondo.”
In her story, she relates that she had a kind of nervous breakdown and fainted and was unconscious for two hours. When she came to, she realized she was doing it all wrong: “I was only looking for things to throw out. What I should have been doing is finding the things I wanted to keep!!” She went on to conclude that the work of tidying up is all about identifying the things that make you happy. And as you may know, her method became simple, and it boiled down to answering one question: “Does this (item) spark joy?” If so, you keep it. If not…
It is not a bad question. Does this old baseball glove, or kindergarten picture or nick-knack or x-box or fill-in-the-blank – does it spark joy in me – does it bring a life to me that I might not experience without it? Nor is it a bad question to use as you reflect on the activities you engage in. Does this Select Volleyball team, this Saturday morning YOGA or Pickleball group, this gathering of my friends, this golf outing, this fill-in-the-blank bring me to a better place – a place of joy where I might find more than I would experience doing other things?
But here is the kicker, as much as I like this question, I think it is a dangerous one to ask. It is NOT the question Jesus asks, for it can lead us down a path into a pretty selfish, shallow world. All events and people and things are judged as “good” or “not-good” depending on whether they made me happy.
Jesus asks a different question, doesn’t he? Does this harvest, this item, this activity, this way of thinking:: Does it make me rich in the things that belong to God? Everything else is ‘vanity’.
The rich farmer in the parable is not a wicked man. He does not become wealthy by stealing, or cheating anyone. He just has a bumper crop one year, thanks to his hard work, but also thanks to things beyond his control – the right amount of sun and water for growth. But Jesus calls him foolish, or silly. Why?
Because of where it left him. If you read the story, the words “I, me and my” are used 10 times in three sentences. He has become exactly what evaluating life according to the “does this spark joy (in ME) movement” will lead you to become at its extreme.
Jesus would have us know there is a different way to approach the goods that are a part of our life. The ‘riches’ of our lives, whether things or people or activities, are meant to be a cause of gratitude, a reason for thankfulness, an opportunity to acknowledge the goodness of God. It is why I answer your question of “How are you?” with the response: “Always better than I deserve.” It reminds me that all I have is a gift. Even if I’ve worked hard for what I have and own, it still a gift of God in the end.
Jesus would also have us know that wealth is supposed to move us to generosity towards others. We are only stewards, and we should hold wealth lightly and gratefully in our hands, not with a clenched fist or a hoarding spirit. It has always been our faith tradition that God wants some of our wealth to pass through us on its way to someone else in need. This is one of the great joys in life, to have the privilege of sharing what has been entrusted to us. You and I are gifted to know the joy that comes from being the hands and feet and heart of Christ to those in need.
[Men of the ACTS retreat = isn’t that what you learned about this weekend – about the men of the team and the ACTS community passing on to you what they have received? And doesn’t that become the challenge for you as well – to live in gratitude for the love shown and the blessings God has bestowed upon you? You have seen with your own eyes the joy that comes from doing that. Now, you are called to experience that by your choice to pass it on.]
Perhaps Marie Kondo was right – it is all about joy. But just not the joy of ‘having’ or ‘possessing’ or even the joy of thinning out the possessions we do have. Rather, it is all about the joy that comes from using what we have been given to bring life to our sisters and brothers.
So, how about us? Are you and I rich in the things that belong to God?