The 7 Experiment: Theology of Possessions: Stuffology

My wife has been going through a Bible Study called The 7 Experiment by Jen Hatmaker which has really engaged many of the ladies of my church.  The third part of this particular study is all about possessions.  Again, let me reiterate, my concern with any of these areas is: “What does the Bible actually say?”  That should be a key for us in any subject we tackle in the Christian faith.  Our perspectives and attitudes should be informed by Scripture and then we need to align ourselves with it where we differ from God.

THEOLOGY OF POSSESSIONS: FORTUNOLOGY or maybe STUFFOLOGY

I got stuff.  You got stuff.  Most of us have so much stuff there is a whole subculture of garage sales where we practically give our stuff away so we can buy more stuff.  Some people have so much stuff they get storage units to put all their stuff.  If you listen to all the statistics, as an American we are in the top percentage of the world of people who have stuff and we should feel guilty about it!  When we talk about stuff (yes, that is my technical term for all possessions), we get into thoughts about the “haves” and the “havenots” and the “haves but we ain’t paid it off yets.”  Talking about possessions gets into speaking about money, housing, cars, hobbies, politics, clothing, debt, and all sorts of issues.

        

For the ladies Bible study, our particular group set up a swap shop where they could get rid of their unwanted or unneeded or guilt-causing items and others could benefit.  So what are we supposed to think about when it comes to our stuff? 

So, what does the Bible say about possessions?  There are a cluster of key words to look for and think about when looking at possessions and stuff in the Bible.  Some key words: possessions (38x), money (123x), greed (12x), poor (177x), riches (51x), clothes (169x), taxes (12x), credit cards (1x… Esther 2:22 J), creditor (5x), and debt (11x).  The words associated with our stuff are inexhaustible. 

Instead of looking at multiple passages on this subject, I would like to take a look at one particular passage.  I want to look at it because it contains several interesting aspects that are important any may head off any technical questions you may have:

* It involves Abram (Abraham) who is seen as a man of faith in the Old Testament and New Testament (Hebrews 11) which helps us see this issue of possessions is part of a faithful person’s life.  God liked him lots.

* It involves a real life situation, so it is not a parable or story or fictional poem.

* The chronology of the event is before Moses brings “the Law” to the Israelites and so eliminates the idea that this was “just a Jewish thang.”

* It deals specifically with possessions.

Genesis 14:11-24: “The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away.  ¹² They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.  ¹³ One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram.  ¹⁴ When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.  ¹⁵ During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.  ¹⁶ He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.  ¹⁷ After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).  ¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,  ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.  ²⁰ And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.  ²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself."  ²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath  ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'  ²⁴ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me-- to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

One of the things you need to notice about Abram (and even Lot) is that these men were wealthy.  They had flocks and herds and servants and Abram even had trained men at his disposal who numbered 318.  Through the situation, Abram/Abraham attacked those who had sacked Sodom and Gomorrah and got back his family along with all the items that had been plundered.

Verse 18-20: Melchizedek comes out and blesses Abram specifically saying his victory was from God.

Verse 20: Abram tithed to God out of all that he had received.

Verse 21: Abram is offered the possessions as his reward for getting the people out of harm’s way.

Verse 22: Abram did not want to profit from this endeavor.

Verse 23: Abram did not want any person to say they had given Abram wealth… ??WHY??

Verse 24: Abram only accepts as reward what his men need to eat.

In terms of Stuffology, I think Abraham teaches us a proper view of how to think about our stuff:

First, Abraham used what he had to help others.  He used the trained men in his household to rescue those who had been take prisoner and to get back the possessions and livelihood of those who had been attacked.  Abraham did not sit back and let it all happen… he had the ability to do something and so he did it.  And, from Abram’s perspective, he did it not for the expected reward, but because he was able.

Second, Abraham gave back to God.  Remember, this is before the Law was given to the Israelites.  This was before God said in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  This was before Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."  This was well before the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  This faithful man had a personal relationship with God and gave out of his thankfulness to God because he loved Him.  This giving was an expression of thankfulness.  This giving was an expression of Lordship.  This giving was an expression of keeping possessions in their proper place.

Third, Abraham was careful who he dealt with when it came to possessions.  We need to keep in mind that the Sodom and Gomorrah Abraham was dealing with in this passage is the exact same two cities that are smote from the very face of the Earth later in Genesis because of their abject wickedness.  Abraham relied on God for his blessings.  He relied on God to increase his flocks and herds.  Abraham did not want business dealings with this wicked king (whom he actually helped out… love thy neighbor and enemy and all that) or to be in debt to that same king.

So what is a proper theology about clothing (Stuffology)?  I think a proper Stuffology keeps materialism in full view and notes it as a temptation that can strike anyone whether they have little, some, or a lot.  A proper Stuffology first acknowledges that ALL possessions are a blessing from God…you ain’t the source of it all.  A proper Stuffology also gives back to God out of thanks and lordship and keeps all dealings with “stuff” in a holy manner… puttin’ in the offering plate ain’t optional.  A proper Stuffology also makes a point that stuff should never be only for self, but for the benefit of family, friends, and those in need… it ain’t just for you. 

Some Suggested Action Steps for a Proper Stuffology (theology about possessions):

*  If you are not tithing, just start.  Quit messing around and get faithful in this area.

*  Note in your checkbook or online where you money is going… are you purchasing more stuff than you need?

*  Think about your possessions: Are you getting some of your possessions in an illegal manner?

            > Illegally copied CDs, DVDs, etc?

            > Taking unapproved leftovers from work?

            > Sneaking in questionable expenses on your expense reports?

            > Shoplifting?

*  Are you going into debt for things you want because of greed? (be honest)

*  Are you able to help those in need around you, but decide not to because then you’d have less?

*  Are you able to help those in need around you, but decide to help because then it makes you look good?

*  Take donations to a thrift store or ministry and DON’T get a tax receipt. 

Troy Borst
Associate Minister

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THEOLOGY OF MEDIA

THEOLOGY OF WASTE (THEOLOGY OF THE ENVIRONMENT)

THEOLOGY OF SPENDING

THEOLOGY OF STRESS