It’s Only Stuff… The Theology of Possessions The Rev. Dr. Rick Young President & CEO, Texas Presbyterian Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Why is this important? Why now? Because …
1960 = 0 2018 = 52,000 and growing rapidly
2.4 billion square feet Nine square feet for every person in U.S.
1960 1,300 sq. ft. 1960 1,300 sq. ft.
2018 2,600 sq. ft. Increasing by 10 – 15% annually
Less than 25% of garages in U.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 Anger Grief Loss of Sadness Joy Control
Greatest Generation 1930 - 1946 “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
Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964 “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
Generations X & Y 1965 - 1982 “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/unde remployment weary Recession hit hard • and many have still not recovered
Millennials 1982 - 2004 “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
. Luke 16:19-31 Matthew 6:19-21 I Peter 1:18-19 Matthew 19:24 Exodus 32:1-33:23 Scripture Texts Which Might Be Used As Bible Study Proverbs 3:9-10 Romans 8:25-39 John 14:1-31 Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 Luke 12:42-46 John 15:1-27
Do your possessions define you or do you define your possessions? 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?
Resources 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
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 •
Thank You For questions or more information: Rick ick Yo Young President & CEO 214-522-3155 rick.young@tpf.org For questions or more information: The The Re Rev. . Dr, r, Ric Rick You oung President & CEO 214-522-3155 rick.young@tpf.org
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