I have a friend who lives in a modest home in a modest neighborhood filled with modest possessions. This doesn’t mean he’s not competitive or ambitious. It does mean that he’s discovered a really important secret to living a contented life:

The only thing that trumps having everything is needing nothing.

During Lent we’re examining the issue of de-cluttering. We are exploring the relationships we have with our stuff, and looking for ways that the things that surround us draw us closer to, or farther from, the One we adore.

This Sunday we have the example of King Herod, who was an archenemy of Jesus, mainly because of the ruler’s penchant to value possessions, prestige, and power over people. After all, there are fewer transgressions that stoke the ire of God worse than our own, fear-based proclivities to put things over people.

This is not to say that possessions are bad or evil. It is to remind us that everything that surrounds us was created in order to point us to God. Finding ways to respond appropriately is our task and joy.

So in the midst of our de-cluttering we notice that God’s presence becomes more real when there are fewer things getting in the way, and when those few things that remain remind us of who gave them to us.

Yes, a surefire way to be less possessive is to have fewer possessions, but perhaps even more helpful is to make sure that the things we cherish have a way to bring us appreciation and thanks.