The bible clearly states that saving is a good thing (Prov 21:20) and that hoarding is not (Luke 12:20-21). But is there a clear distinction between the two? And how can we know if we have crossed the line?
This post will first examine the spiritual aspect of hoarding, then give some practical tips to better identify where that line is.
Where is your heart?
Jesus minced no words in saying, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, …but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” from Mat 6:19-21
Jesus knew that the inside of man must be changed before the outside will change. A hoarder will continue to hoard until he has a spiritual heart transplant. Is your treasure in heaven or on earth? If you don’t know, look around you. According to Jesus, what we treasure the most controls us. If a stranger was to examine your checkbook, what conclusions would he make about your treasures? Are you content with whatever you have or do you continually think you need more?
Got your answer? Let’s move on to those practical suggestions.
You may well be thinking, “We are straining to make ends meet, much less build up a savings account. Hoarding just doesn’t seem like an issue to us.” Good point, but if you are wise with your finances today, the temptation of hoarding could come knocking on your door tomorrow. The following tips will not only help you get your finances under control, but also keep your treasures in heaven during the process:
- Have a budget.
You will never be in control of your money if you don’t tell your money what to do.
- Start with a tithe.
A tithe (10%) is a discipline that will ensure that you are putting that much of your treasure where your heart is.
- Distinguish between your wants and your needs.
You need a dependable car, but do you need a $30,000 car? You need a comfortable house in a safe neighborhood but do you need a castle on Snob Hill?
- Make a long term financial plan.
Get out of debt, build your emergency fund, invest for retirement, plan for your kids’ college and pay off your house. These are all prudent uses of your money that in no way could be construed as hoarding (unless you buy that castle on Snob Hill).
- Get rid of extra stuff.
Even if you aren’t hoarding money, are you hoarding stuff? Is your basement, attic, garage or extra bedroom crowded with stuff you never use? Do you pay for a storage shed to store even more stuff? Someone could probably use that stuff. Give it to the Salvation Army or some other reputable organization. Don’t hoard it. Get it out of your life.
- Have enough insurance.
You need to cover all big dollar contingencies with proper insurance. Disability, life, and (if you are between 50 and 60 years old) Long Term Care Insurance are absolutely critical. Because you will probably never be able to save enough to be self insured, proper insurance will allow you to accomplish the next step.
- Set a maximum savings goal.
Now we are actually beginning to accumulate some savings. Good job! But why a maximum goal instead of a minimum? Because if you don’t set a cap on your savings, you are, de facto, planning to keep it all. Is this not hoarding? By setting a maximum goal, you are being very intentional about putting your treasure toward eternal things. Craig Ford aptly calls this the ocean tide effect: when the tide comes in, you have more to give; when the tide goes out, you build up your savings again.
Concluding thoughts
Jesus tells us that the location of our treasure informs us where our hearts are. We have two choices: eternal treasures in heaven or temporary treasures on earth. As we go through life, we need to be constantly vigilant about keeping our treasures in heaven. When our net worth increases, we are challenged to clearly identify the line between savings and hoarding. In general, savings is for a specific purpose while hoarding isn’t. By following some well set guidelines, we can go through life with confidence that our treasures are where they should be.
My wife likes to watch a show on TV called ‘clean house’. I have been surprised to see how people accumulate stuff. While it may start with good intentions, it get out of hand without knowing.
Hoarding can turn chronic as your picture illustrates – from this TV show i have seen a lot of emotional issues resulting to this condition; so people who struggle or whose relatives struggle with this issue might want to consider counseling.
As you also noted, it has spiritual relation. It is easier to hold on to what you see and have than to hold on to faith that you will get something else. We have to remember that we are stewards of what God has given us.
About a year ago i went through my closet and was surprised to see how many clothes i have not worn in two years still hanging in the closet. When we got married, we made the decision to be disposing stuff that we no longer use every two years. (Our arguments is if we have not used or worn it in two years we will possibly not wear it again)
Joe, great post. I like the maximum savings concept you talk about. I think that makes a lot of sense, especially, if you’re saving for emergencies. Given the recent economic crisis I could see where people might be tempted to hoard money in an emergency savings account rather than trust God first with their giving.
Joseph,
I have never seen the TV show “clean house” but I heard some of my friends talking about it the other day. Hoarding can indeed be an illness for some, but is a spiritual challenge for all. And I am “preaching”to myself. Our basement is crowded with clutter that we haven’t used in years. Am I hoarding or simply too lazy to clean it? Probably some of both, but neither is excusable.
My wife and I also do the “two year” thing with our clothes, but it is something we have to stay diligent about.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Jason,
Yes, the maximum savings concept is a great one and not original with me. I think I first heard it from Larry Burkett, but Craig Ford used the same idea in the post I linked to.
If we take it seriously, we will be forced to really scrutinize our finances and put more trust in God. My wife and I are currently trying to define that maximum amount in our own lives. Once we do, I believe that we will experience a real spiritual freedom….knowing that the more God blesses us, the more we will be able to bless others.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Hi Joe, great post. I truly enjoy your scripture based discussions.
Another relevant scripture comes to mind: Haggai 1:1-7 (the admonition to carefully consider your ways). A remnant of Israel returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. God spoke to the people through Haggai. Haggai told the people to rebuild His Temple instead of busily caring for their own “paneled” homes. See Haggai 1: 3. The people were warned that their hoarding lifestyle would amount to nothing. See Haggai 1:6 and 9.
Cedric,
Thanks for the great passage from Haggai. It was one I hadn’t considered, but is totally applicable. The harder the people worked (on their own houses) the less they had because they were ignoring the temple, which was symbolic of their spiritual lives.
I wonder what OUR “paneled” homes are today? Hmmm.
Thanks again for sharing this passage. It is a good one.
yeah, we were big hoarders of stuff for a while. I started to slowly throw things away. We just ran out of space! We did not need those textbooks from freshmen year (that we did not read then) or the same notes from the class. Purging is healthy and fun. Anything good goes to a local charity. Crap goes to the dump. It has helped us realize what we need and not be so clingy to stuff we will never use.
Ted,
Good for you! You actually do what many of us talk about. Maybe your example can spur some of the rest of us into action.
Thanks for reading commenting!