ACT 6: CLOSET LOVE

MARCH 9, 2022

 

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never even seen – don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 

(Matthew 6:30–33 The Message)

One key to a generous life is to be good stewards of what we have. What do you have hidden away in closets, totes, or cupboards that someone else could benefit from? Who might need/want it? Could you give it away or lend it out today?

"Your living room is where you share the story of who you are," wrote a certain well-known Swedish retailer. When I read that I began to wonder what my living space says about who I am. I’m sitting in our family room writing this, listening to music on our TV, Yes, I am in my recliner : ), it was my Father-in-law's, beside my recliner is a child’s rocking chair, next to the chair is a doll house with a tote full of accessories, on the wall above these are pictures of our children (individually and a Group shot), on the mantle is a sketch given to us by a dear family friend when our “Kipper” (Golden Retriever) died, there are candles, plants, lots of seating, a wicker basket overflowing with Children’s books, and a rocking horse.  What does this say about who we are, who I am?

This question could extend to our clothes closets: does it hold a select few items regularly worn, or is it filled up with clothes tied to your aspirations for the future (different bodyshape/job)? I like William Morris’s words, ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ It’s a great benchmark.

Jesus, in Matthew 6, says: "What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, not to be concerned with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving" (The Message).

One key to a generous life is to be good stewards of what we have. Self-help books and TV shows sing the praises of decluttering. Giving things away benefits the people who receive, but it is also about freeing us up to respond to God’s giving. As you consider the Acts below for your Generosity Toolbox, I wonder what the things you give away say about who you are.

Start simple: gather a few bags of stuff to take to thrift shop, or food bank that stocks clothes, or tools. Let’s give some good stuff away too!

Go back to your circles – who might need what you have? This may take a little more thought and effort (e.g. sorting out kids’ clothes, digging out old tools, fixing an old bike ready for giving away, or clearing a laptop). Be intentional about what you give and to whom.

Organise a clothes/book/jewellery/ tool swap. Contact the people in your social media/work circles to see who would be interested in helping out or hosting, and then find ways to spread the word. A great way to minimise clutter, meet someone else's need, and make new friends all at once.

Sometimes we are called to give of our best, inspired by God who has given the most precious gift of all.