it’s only stuff… · 4. free of charge: giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of grace,...
TRANSCRIPT
It’s Only Stuff…The Theology of PossessionsThe Rev. Dr. Rick YoungPresident & CEO, Texas Presbyterian Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Why is thisimportant?
Why now?
Because…
1960 = 0
2018 = 52,000 and growing rapidly
2.4 billion square feet
Nine square feet forevery
person in U.S.
19601,300 sq. ft.
19601,300 sq. ft.
20182,600 sq. ft.
Increasing by 10 – 15% annually
Less than 25% of garages inU.S. homes are used for their
intended purpose—that of storing a car.
POSSESSIONS PROVIDE…
United States consumers spent $2.6 Trillion on non-durable goods in 2017.
Spent $600 Billion on recreational goods.
Annual growth of U.S. consumer expenditures increasing by 3.9% annually.
Emotions associated with getting rid of stuff
Relief Grief Anger
Loss of Control
Sadness Joy
Greatest Generation
“Waste not, want not”
• Did not have credit cards or credit, bought things only when needed and cash was available
• Gave up possessions for the common good
• Avid supporters of causes that helped greater number
• Major sources of news—newspapers and radio
1930 - 1946
Baby Boomers
“Keeping Up With The Joneses”
• Easier credit available
• Richest generation
• Where I live and how much I possess tells others who I am
• Last of the major collectors of stuff
1946 – 1964
Generations X & Y
“Who are we? We are not like them!”
• Sandwich generation
• Least wealthy of all generations
• Many were latchkey kids with both parents working
• High unemployment/underemployment weary
• Recession hit hard and many have still not recovered
1965 - 1982
Millennials
“Prefer Experience Over Possessions”
• Wealthier than X & Y, but not as wealthy as Boomers
• Debt is an enemy and do not want to go further in debt
• Heavy school debt
• Little desire for ownership of possessions/homes
• Often seen as minimalists
1982 - 2004
Scripture Texts Which Might Be Used As Bible Study
.
Matthew 6:19-21 Luke 16:19-31
Proverbs 3:9-10
Luke 12:42-46
Matthew 19:24
I Peter 1:18-19
Romans 8:25-39John 14:1-31
John 15:1-27
Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
Exodus 32:1-33:23
Do you control your possessions or do your possessions control you?
What is your most valuable possession and why?
If you only had thirty minutes to go through your home and pick possessions that you have
to keep, what would they be?
Do your possessions define you or do you define your possessions?
1. The Steward: A Biblical symbol come of age, revised edition, Douglas John Hall, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2004
2. Money Enough: Everyday Practices for Living Faithfully in the Global Economy, Doug Hicks, Jossey-Bass, 2010
3. Enough: True Measures of Money, Value, and Life, John C. (Jack) Bogle
4. Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace, Miroslav Volf, Zondervan, 2005
5. Wealth in Families, Second Edition, Charles W. Collier, Harvard Press
6. An Other Kingdom, Departing the Consumer Culture, Peter Block, Walter Brueggemann, John McKnight, John Wiley and Sons Publishers, 2016
Resources
What do I do with all my stuff,or even someone else’s stuff?
• Goodwill, Salvation Army, veterans associations • Estate sale• Museums or Art Galleries• Ebay or online websites• Classified ads• Family, friends, others• Sotheby or other high end dealer• The church• 1 800 Got Junk• Trash
For questions or more information:
Rick YoungPresident & CEO
Thank You
For questions or more information:
The Rev. Dr, Rick YoungPresident & CEO