April 30th, 2025
by Terry Hall
by Terry Hall
I have a curious fascination with shows about hoarders. I “Ooo” and “Ahhh” and “I can’t believe it!” through the show, expressing disbelief that people could live with all that extra “stuff.” It often amazes me what some deem valuable, or precious, or maybe saved for another day. Sometimes those saved items create mountains inside the home, and the hoarders’ rescuers have to climb those mountains just to reach the people inside the mess. And even as the hoarders are hoarding, their possessions are deteriorating or inviting unwanted pests. Hoarders’ things create barriers to health, relationships, careers.
Totally not my problem . . .until . . . .
Until the show gets to that grimace moment, when there’s a creeping glimpse of myself in that crazy display of hoarding, when I remember that I tend towards hoarding, too.
It happens when I think of all the stuff I’m saving to sell on Facebook Marketplace, the storage closet with extra coats and jackets just in case they’re ever needed. Or maybe it’s the reminder that our linen closet is filled with enough sheets, towels, area rugs, pillow covers, and craft supplies to open my own Home Goods or Hobby Lobby.
Worse yet, it’s the realization that I not only tend to hoard things. Sadly, I am also prone to hoarding my time, my energy, my attention, my resources. Operating out of a scarcity perspective, I have too little energy, too little time, too little resources to give away, so saving and hoarding these things is needful. I don’t have time, it’s too expensive, I need my rest, others will do it, I already do enough, I’m not really interested.
My problem is that I suffer from a scarcity mentality, and I’m guessing it lurks in many of you, too.
We know we should be more generous, giving, more eager to share, more caring about others’ lives and eternal destination. Sometimes there’s a sneaking suspicion that our time, energy, resources, could be given, shared, or surrendered to another for their profit, but somehow knowing doesn’t lead to any change. What if I need it myself?
But what if I—what if we—were able to flip that scarcity mentality on its head, recognizing it for the Thief of Joy that it really is, and operated from a generosity mentality?
What if we moved from believing that we have too little to realizing the abundance of what we’ve been given by God Himself, given to share with others?
What would it look like if I gave generously of my time, my energy, my personality, my faith, my gifts, my possessions? What would change in my heart? My relationships with others? My own level of joy and gratitude?
Could I really trust that God is a generous, giving Father, and He promises to provide for all of my needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual (Mt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:19)? That He promises to lead me and guide me and give me wisdom as I seek Him in all kinds of decision-making (James 1:5-8)?
Is there some way that my heart could possibly be changed from a natural hoarder to a generous giver?
Wonderfully, we know from His Word that change is not only possible, but the Lord desires to do this in our minds, hearts, and lives (Mt. 6:1-4; 1 Tim. 6:17-19). And not only do we know this is His desire for us, but He tells us that if we are willing, His Holy Spirit will do the work and change us (1 Cor. 6:11; Rom. 8:26). Amazing!
So, dear people, let’s be bold and generous givers! Let’s not keep hoarding what God wants us to give away. Let’s put our full weight on God, asking Him to change our hearts from a self-centered scarcity mentality to an other-centered generosity mentality. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to opportunities to generously serve and give, knowing that He delights to answer the prayer of the humble. And when you see that opportunity, obey quickly. Don’t ignore the prompting of the Spirit, but trust that God will provide all you need through His grace and goodness.
Let us be a people marked by a bold, joy-filled, courageous, faithful life, eager to see the needs around us and to offer ourselves in service, knowing God’s great power is shown forth in our very weakness.
Without sacrifice, is it really serving?
-Mary Murphy
Totally not my problem . . .until . . . .
Until the show gets to that grimace moment, when there’s a creeping glimpse of myself in that crazy display of hoarding, when I remember that I tend towards hoarding, too.
It happens when I think of all the stuff I’m saving to sell on Facebook Marketplace, the storage closet with extra coats and jackets just in case they’re ever needed. Or maybe it’s the reminder that our linen closet is filled with enough sheets, towels, area rugs, pillow covers, and craft supplies to open my own Home Goods or Hobby Lobby.
Worse yet, it’s the realization that I not only tend to hoard things. Sadly, I am also prone to hoarding my time, my energy, my attention, my resources. Operating out of a scarcity perspective, I have too little energy, too little time, too little resources to give away, so saving and hoarding these things is needful. I don’t have time, it’s too expensive, I need my rest, others will do it, I already do enough, I’m not really interested.
My problem is that I suffer from a scarcity mentality, and I’m guessing it lurks in many of you, too.
We know we should be more generous, giving, more eager to share, more caring about others’ lives and eternal destination. Sometimes there’s a sneaking suspicion that our time, energy, resources, could be given, shared, or surrendered to another for their profit, but somehow knowing doesn’t lead to any change. What if I need it myself?
But what if I—what if we—were able to flip that scarcity mentality on its head, recognizing it for the Thief of Joy that it really is, and operated from a generosity mentality?
What if we moved from believing that we have too little to realizing the abundance of what we’ve been given by God Himself, given to share with others?
What would it look like if I gave generously of my time, my energy, my personality, my faith, my gifts, my possessions? What would change in my heart? My relationships with others? My own level of joy and gratitude?
Could I really trust that God is a generous, giving Father, and He promises to provide for all of my needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual (Mt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:19)? That He promises to lead me and guide me and give me wisdom as I seek Him in all kinds of decision-making (James 1:5-8)?
Is there some way that my heart could possibly be changed from a natural hoarder to a generous giver?
Wonderfully, we know from His Word that change is not only possible, but the Lord desires to do this in our minds, hearts, and lives (Mt. 6:1-4; 1 Tim. 6:17-19). And not only do we know this is His desire for us, but He tells us that if we are willing, His Holy Spirit will do the work and change us (1 Cor. 6:11; Rom. 8:26). Amazing!
So, dear people, let’s be bold and generous givers! Let’s not keep hoarding what God wants us to give away. Let’s put our full weight on God, asking Him to change our hearts from a self-centered scarcity mentality to an other-centered generosity mentality. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to opportunities to generously serve and give, knowing that He delights to answer the prayer of the humble. And when you see that opportunity, obey quickly. Don’t ignore the prompting of the Spirit, but trust that God will provide all you need through His grace and goodness.
Let us be a people marked by a bold, joy-filled, courageous, faithful life, eager to see the needs around us and to offer ourselves in service, knowing God’s great power is shown forth in our very weakness.
Without sacrifice, is it really serving?
-Mary Murphy
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