Pastor Spoke Against Amassing Worldly Things

I hate knicknacks! My mother worked and I used to have to help clean the house including all of that stuff. She had those figurines too. I only had a couple of "knicknacks" in my apartment. One was a Swarovski crystal owl that was too pretty to leave in the jewelry store (his little ear finally got broken, so I don't even display it anymore). I have a clear pyramid with silver and gold balls inside. Turn it upside down and they float to the top/bottom. Everybody, especially my grandchildren, is fascinated with it, so I've kept it for decades.

I don't think God cares if we collect stuff. I do think God is displeased when we are unkind or stingy or act with evil intentions against other humans and animals.
 

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bowmore said:
Have you seen any episodes of Pickers? As an aside, we have a neighbor that has 2 storage units back in Indiana full of her mother's stuff, and she lives in California!!
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Yes I have. That may have made me think of the comment. Sometimes people don't even want to sell the stuff and it's up in barns and buildings and hasn't been seen in years.

And lets not forget about Hoarders. That's a major mental disorder. Makes too many knickknacks seem fine.
 

debodun said:
He related that in his role as a hospice chaplain, he visited a recent widower. The widower's house was filled with dolls - all kinds - that his wife collected. Dolls everywhere and nobody wanted them, even close family. The pastor went on to say that after collecting for decades, not one of those dolls was buried with her.

Now I have a house filled with knickknacks. I think it makes the house look more warm, and I enjoy looking at them. Are we supposed to give up every unnecessary thing to please God?

I spoke with him after the service and told him I went to an estate sale yesterday and bough a 20 gallon plastic bag of figurines. He just sighed and rolled his eyes. I am willing to bet he has a few "unnecessaries" in his house.
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To be perfectly honest with you I don't think it is any of the pastor's business. So, unless he can provide a written statement signed by God himself in which knickknacks are frowned upon then he should just keep his nose out of it. I am willing to bet that when the pastor dies his car won't be buried with him therefore I say he should walk wherever he goes. No mopeds, scooters, skateboards, bicycles, taxis, buses, trains or planes either. If Jesus didn't have them nor should the pastor have them ... unless he's a hypocrite?

THE BOTTOM LINE: As long as you don't praise them as emissaries of God, then you should enjoy your knickknacks, debodun!
 
debodun said:
He related that in his role as a hospice chaplain, he visited a recent widower. The widower's house was filled with dolls - all kinds - that his wife collected. Dolls everywhere and nobody wanted them, even close family. The pastor went on to say that after collecting for decades, not one of those dolls was buried with her.

Now I have a house filled with knickknacks. I think it makes the house look more warm, and I enjoy looking at them. Are we supposed to give up every unnecessary thing to please God?

I spoke with him after the service and told him I went to an estate sale yesterday and bough a 20 gallon plastic bag of figurines. He just sighed and rolled his eyes. I am willing to bet he has a few "unnecessaries" in his house.
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Psalms 23:5 (King James Version): Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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 there will not be room enough to store it. :)
 
Warrigal said:
When I was a young mother I was very much influenced by stories of women in Singapore after it was over run by the Japanese in WW II. They had to trek around the island carrying just one suitcase of essentials for themselves and their children. The same stories were replicated in the experiences of refugees from Europe when the war ended.

Some of these women had lived lives of privilege before the war.

I wondered what I would put in a suitcase if I had to flee our home and I realised that most possessions would be useless to survival. Some lightweight valuables could be useful to generate cash, a sharp knife, some matches and items of warm clothing would be my priorities. Identity papers would be more important than wedding photos.

I have sentimental possessions like everyone else but I am at a stage now where I am passing them on to people I think will enjoy them.

It is said that we bring nothing into the world and will take nothing with us when we leave the world. In between what matters most is what we do for others. That is what we will leave behind - memories, which are worth more than any amount of knickknacks or baubles.

Perhaps this is the message the pastor was attempting to convey?
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Then he (pastor) should have said so instead of the usual condemnation he seems to mete out in judgement. Good pastors are hard to find. I believe in God's grace and He fills my life with boundless blessings including financial. My cup runneth over. 💖:)
 
When my parents passed away I made all the grandchildren go to the house and take whatever they wanted. My parents had given me enough while they were alive. Now a little at a time I am giving my things to my kids. If I go to their house I'll bring something and say maybe they can use it, this way they won't associate it with my death.
 
debodun said:
He related that in his role as a hospice chaplain, he visited a recent widower. The widower's house was filled with dolls - all kinds - that his wife collected. Dolls everywhere and nobody wanted them, even close family. The pastor went on to say that after collecting for decades, not one of those dolls was buried with her.

Now I have a house filled with knickknacks. I think it makes the house look more warm, and I enjoy looking at them. Are we supposed to give up every unnecessary thing to please God?

I spoke with him after the service and told him I went to an estate sale yesterday and bough a 20 gallon plastic bag of figurines. He just sighed and rolled his eyes. I am willing to bet he has a few "unnecessaries" in his house.
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I have a doll collection beginning with my grandmother's doll, my mother's doll, and 4 more generations of dolls. No one wants them. I have no idea what will happen to them when I die.
 
Vida May said:
I have a doll collection beginning with my grandmother's doll, my mother's doll, and 4 more generations of dolls. No one wants them. I have no idea what will happen to them when I die.
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You might try putting them up for sale. Not so much for the money, but anyone willing to pay for them wants them and would likely value them.
 
Alligatorob said:
You might try putting them up for sale. Not so much for the money, but anyone willing to pay for them wants them and would likely value them.
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The oldest ones are damaged and I don't have any value. The rest don't have enough value to make it worth the effort, but I would like them to have good homes. I will ponder what you said because the idea of throwing them in the dumpster really bothers me.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I hate knicknacks! My mother worked and I used to have to help clean the house including all of that stuff. She had those figurines too. I only had a couple of "knicknacks" in my apartment. One was a Swarovski crystal owl that was too pretty to leave in the jewelry store (his little ear finally got broken, so I don't even display it anymore). I have a clear pyramid with silver and gold balls inside. Turn it upside down and they float to the top/bottom. Everybody, especially my grandchildren, is fascinated with it, so I've kept it for decades.

I don't think God cares if we collect stuff. I do think God is displeased when we are unkind or stingy or act with evil intentions against other humans and animals.
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Same here.
I've never had any interest in "stuff" anyway, referred to knicknacks as dust-collectors, so basically everything I have is either for practical purposes or sentimental reasons.
 
Vida May said:
The oldest ones are damaged and I don't have any value. The rest don't have enough value to make it worth the effort, but I would like them to have good homes. I will ponder what you said because the idea of throwing them in the dumpster really bothers me.
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Seems to me to be worth a try, sell them as a complete set if you can. It might also be interesting to meet and talk with potential buyers. If they are really interested they would want to hear your story. Best of luck with it!

I have way too much stuff that falls into the same category. Probably should be taking my own advice. Goodwill really likes me!
 
Alligatorob said:
Seems to me to be worth a try, sell them as a complete set if you can. It might also be interesting to meet and talk with potential buyers. If they are really interested they would want to hear your story. Best of luck with it!

I have way too much stuff that falls into the same category. Probably should be taking my own advice. Goodwill really likes me!
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When I downsized Saint Vincent de Paul got load after load of my stuff. Every once in a while I decide I can rid of more stuff.

You know what really irritates me, is while I want to get rid of stuff, people keep giving me stuff! Only my sister could not resist the urge to give me a Christmas gift but her gift is very practical. A neighbor gave me cookies and candy! No, no, no! But I smile and say thank you.
 
win231 said:
When you want to see the true meaning of hypocrisy, seek out a religious figure.
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Oh I love how you are reducing all religious figures to a cultural stereotype :ROFLMAO: Or did you mean a small percentage of "wolves in sheeps clothing" who claim to be men of faith but aren't? You do know, that if they are hypocrites then they aren't really religious people, right? Then again, there are many definitions of "religious" so that's added confusion as well.
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
I don't think God cares if we collect stuff. I do think God is displeased when we are unkind or stingy or act with evil intentions against other humans and animals.
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Agreed. God, being creator of the universe isn't(from my view) concerned about knickknacks, as long as we don't place their value higher than that of our fellow humans. That said, I personally don't care for excessive possessions, they tend to block the living space's energy flow(think Feng Shui).
 
Nathan said:
Agreed. God, being creator of the universe isn't(from my view) concerned about knickknacks, as long as we don't place their value higher than that of our fellow humans. That said, I personally don't care for excessive possessions, they tend to block the living space's energy flow(think Feng Shui).
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I agree Nathan.

One of the 10 Commandments says, "thou shalt not put any graven image (aka idol) before me". God's talking about anything that you give more attention to than Him is considered an idol in His eyes. I think we're all guilty of that at one time or another in this material world. I've done it. But it's worthy of admitting it in prayer, asking His forgiveness, and trying not to do that in the future.
 
I attend church and I do consider myself a religious person. Now that to me means I am a person that is helpful to others who are in need when I am able to do so and I try to live a good life. If I do that, I don't need anyone else to tell me what I can buy or keep for myself that makes me happy. Even if not a single thing I accumulate doesn't go with me when I pass away those things aren't hurting anyone so why should it matter to anyone else. @debodun collect whatever you want if they make you happy.
 
I don't trust preachers, pastors or clergy although they are human there is no better anyone else. The problem with religious leaders is people give the power as if they are special. They are not special people so don't get caught up in their hocus hocus. Be a skeptic, it won't hurt you to think for yourself.
 

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