Too Much Stuff

Which is better, to make too much and give away what you don't sell, or to run the risk of making too little and miss an opportunity to sell?

As one who accepts donations at the soup kitchen, you would think I would be in favor of making too much, but I am not so sure.  When we give from our surplus, what good is that?

Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Luke 12:33-34

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is instructing his disciples in the value of having and wanting less.

If everyone followed his instructions, however, there would be a big pile of stuff no one wanted or needed and so it would become a trash heap.

So, even back then, there was too much stuff, only people didn't see it that way.  Many were poor and had nothing, while a few had a lot.  That is not unique to our generation.

So what is the message here?  Is it that we should all learn to live with less?

I am reminded of two seemingly conflicting stories from Scripture.  One is the story of Joseph interpreting a dream for Pharaoh, telling him to store up grain for the coming famine.  The other is the parable of the man who was building new barns for his excess grain on the day he was to die.

Between these two lies our dilemma.  If we have just enough for today, we could find ourselves without tomorrow.  If we have more than we need today, we have to store it and keep it fresh.

If I could have a daily delivery of just enough food to feed the people who will come into our soup kitchen each day, I would not need freezers and shelves and storage facilities.  I could run a very lean operation.

But that type of operation sounds like poor planning, doesn't it?  It is as though I am relying on faith to guide me each day.

So, I receive large shipments and donations and I have to manage the excess to avoid throwing away anything.  The same is true for the food pantry and clothes closet.  In feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, I become the wealthy man with too much needing to build bigger barns.

The process of redistributing excess sends what might be the wrong message: Buy too much and make too much and give your excess to me for those who have less.

This week and next week, I am going to challenge two groups of high schoolers to come and experience what we do and how we do it.  Then I will ask them if they can think of another way to accomplish the goal of helping people in need.

I wonder what they will come up with.  Will they find ways to make the existing operation more efficient, or will they throw it out and start fresh?

What would you do?

Remember, where your heart is, that is where your treasure is found.

More to come...