The STUFF Epidemic

It is the night before election day as I write this and I am going to be very politically incorrect. I am going to tell you something that is not supposed to be discussed. Not about a candidate, but a private matter that is not really any of your business. I am going to just blurt it out right now… I am going to tell you how rich we are. I know, I know. You are not supposed to talk about that but here I go. …

We are very, very, very rich. So rich that we have 4 chairs around our table every day even though there are typically only two of us eating. We are so rich that we have 8 plates, 8 bowls, 8 cups and 8 saucers and most meals there are only 2 of us here. Now, when all the kids and grandkids come for a meal, 8 isn’t enough, but we are so rich that we just buy dishes to use once and throw them away!

The point I want to drive home is that, compared to the majority of the world, if you have a home where you can eat 3 meals a day then you are truly rich. You probably don’t feel rich. In fact, maybe right now you are wondering if you are going to make it to your next paycheck. Most of us have had financial struggles at some point, but, by comparison to the rest of the world we have sooooo much stuff!

So let’s take a look at that stuff and what impact it is making on our family. 

1.      Stuff takes space.  The more stuff you have the bigger home you need; the more shelving you need. You need a bigger closet. You need more space to store all the stuff you acquire.

2.      Stuff takes time.  When you have a lot of stuff it is always harder to find what you are looking for. Time is needed to keep things in order or to clean and organize all the stuff.

3.      Stuff creates stress.  When there is stuff everywhere we tend to get cranky and yell at our kids or spouse because we are tired of the mess all our stuff creates

4.      Stuff creates overwhelmed and irresponsible children. The more they have the less they respect and appreciate their things. When they are given more than they can take care of in a few minutes, they leave things out where they end up broken or lost. They expect others to take care of the things they own and they have played with because there is just so much stuff!

I may have struck a nerve and if so, bear with me here.  I am not advocating that you take all your children’s toys away or only allow them one change of clothing (although that would seriously alter the time needed to do laundry!).  This is the time of year when all the stores are gearing up for Christmas. The commercials are informing our children of all the things they can put on their Christmas list. We love our kids and love to give to them, but what we don’t want to give is a sense of entitlement, which is a huge issue in our society. We don’t want to foster that epidemic, so what do we do to prevent it from contaminating our children?

First of all, begin by taking inventory. Clear out the toys they have outgrown. Often times kids want more simply because they are accustomed to being surrounded by stuff. That looks right to them, even though they aren’t playing with very much of it. Get rid of the things that are broken or have pieces missing. They have served their purpose, now they must be retired.

Secondly, keep only what your child can manage to care for on their own. Whether they are 2 or 12, don’t have more toys at their disposal than they are capable of putting away all by themselves. If you have an overwhelming amount and aren’t ready to pass them on to someone else, store them somewhere out of their sight until you are ready to share them with others. You can even alternate the toys every couple of weeks and keep them interested, but be sure to pack some away if you are bringing new ones on the scene.

Third, if your children are older, allow them to give their gently used toys to someone less fortunate. They will learn the joy of giving if you allow them to be generous.

Fourth, don’t ask them for a list of what they want for Christmas. Ask instead what makes their heart hurt. Share with them some of the needs in the community or around the world and allow them to choose which one they would love to help. Explain to them that they will still get a gift to open, but the best part of their gift will be knowing that their generosity has brought joy to someone who has great needs.

Maybe this blog should be addressing grandparents. We tend to enjoy lavishing our grandkids with gifts, but how about giving them a framed picture of the orphan in Haiti you are sponsoring with the money that would have purchased more toys or stuff for them to trip over. Then throughout the year, take them shopping to purchase a birthday gift or a "just because" gift for that child or for someone in need. Make your quality time with them about teaching them to see outside of themselves and learn to be givers rather than collectors of stuff.

"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."               1 Timothy 6:17-19