Hoarding

Recently, there has been a spate of television shows spotlighting the plight of hoarders, who, according to the currently popular definition, are people who have no control over their urges to keep adding to their material possessions. Their homes become full to overflowing to such an extent that usually there is not even room enough to walk or move without stepping on something. Piles of clothing (many times still with price tags, never worn); dishes stacked everywhere (often unwashed); trash and goodness-knows-what-else (pets in cages in one recent episode) crowding out the families and ruining their lives.

I think one explanation for the popularity of these shows is that we can watch them, and say to ourselves, "Wow, that person really has too much stuff. I would never let that happen to me." And most of us probably won't let our belongings overwhelm us to such an extreme extent, but that doesn't mean we're not letting unnecessary things have too much control in our lives. Whether it's material possessions, emotional baggage or any number of problems, a hoarder's attitude of hanging on to too much can often creep in before we realize it. Clutter, resentment, unforgiveness, fear, worry -- whatever it is for each of us -- unproductive things and thoughts are lurking, waiting to crowd out love, peace, joy and harmony.

Another aspect of hoarders, as seen on TV, is the agitation they display when someone tries to intervene and help them rid their lives of disorder. They are not interested in giving up their stuff because they are attached to it or they perceve they will need it some day. This is one of the most tragic parts of the hoarding mentality. What we have is meant to be shared with others. In particular, material blessings and spiritual gifts are given to us so the world can be enriched, not so we can grow more wealthy and self-satisfied.

I'm reminded of the scripture in Luke chapter 12 where Jesus is teaching the importance of storing up treasures in Heaven, not on earth. In verse 15 he says, ". . . not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." What we have does not define us. It is what we give away that matters most.(One of my husband's favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.)

When we see people who are overwhelmeed by material possessions, the question to ask ourselves, is not "What is wrong with that person?" The question is: What am I hoarding?