Do we as a culture have too much stuff? As many of us do our last minute shopping, can we ask ourselves: "Do I need that?" "Does my son need that doll house?" (Hey I got a doll house for my 4th Christmas. Yes, that might explain a lot. Or it might be explained by the fact my father sold houses and I wantd to be like him. ) I thought about this as my daughter and wife packed up her doll house for storage. We have downsized in California and have no place for it. Did Stacy ever really "need" it? No doubt it will join her kitchen at the Grandkids at some point.
Do I really "need" the things I have?
I could argue that I need my 1,000 books. (This is already downsized from the height of my book mania at 1,300.) But I have gotten along quite well without them while I was in California. Probably 200 of them I have not read and will never read. Why do I have them? I am reluctant to give them up.
I inherited some interesting things from my father that I really have no need for—but once again I am reluctant to part with. They include a cigar store Indian—poor Old Kaw-Liga. The Indian reminds me strongly of my father. I am reminded of the Hank Williams song.
Kaw-Liga was a wooden Indian standing by the door He fell in love with an Indian maid over in the antique store. Kaw-Liga just stood there and never let it show So she could never answer yes or no.
He always wore his Sunday feathers and held a tomahawk. The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped someday he'd talk. Kaw-Liga, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart was made of knotty pine
This also reminds me of my father's love for country music. Alas, Poor Old Kaw-Liga had to go. He did go recently when I received an offer for him. I will miss him.
Babylon the Great is characterized by the wealth of her possessions. Revelation 18 says this about her:
11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’
Do we really need the stuff we will get tomorrow? Will we be returning it on Monday? Are we measured by the toys we have? Do we really embody the bumper sticker I have seen on occasion:
The One Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins
I have referenced this song before. If the life we are supposed to chose is the one in this video, I will pass.
If this is your life, I suggest a different life. To echo Martin Luther King, it is not the number of our possessions but the strength of our character that really matters.
Did I need Kaw-Liga? Maybe, if I had room. What then do I do with the giant camel, the giant giraffe, and the giant rooster with a saddle?
Well, they are also for sale, no reasonable offer refused.