| AUGUST 1, 2023 -- Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:21-24
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Proverbs 15:16
(Woe unto him) who amasses wealth and counts it a safeguard, Koran, Sura 104:2
It is easy for most of us to think that some people have far more possessions than they need. However, a bit of serious introspection should lead to the conclusion that even if we are not like the rich young man in Matthew’s story, we have a lot of stuff we don’t need. As far as I can tell, even the poorest among us may have this problem. There are many reasons for this; perhaps we hold onto some otherwise useless things for a sense of security, or for sentimental reasons. Perhaps we are still influenced by the habits of our parents or grandparents, who
went through the Depression, and decided to hold onto anything that might possibly be of use sometime, even if the possibility is remote. I know this is one of my problems.
But it is not only too much physical “stuff” which burdens us. There is also the problem of too much non-physical stuff, especially an inability to rid ourselves of grudges, regrets, resentments, and other negativity. What good does anger do you? Except in the heat of the moment it only harms you.
A wise person once said that “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Resentment? Does resentment help you in any way? Resentful behavior actually causes you to be hurt and victimized again, thus prolonging the suffering. As for grudges, holding onto a grudge can increase your stress level, leading to high blood pressure and other health problems.
In Grange ritual we are instructed, in the third degree, to “look forward to better and brighter days instead of mourning over the past.” So, while cleaning out your closets of all the unnecessary physical items in your life, also clean out your mental closet, and get rid of your angers, grudges, bad memories, and resentments.
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