How can I get ready to get rid of my material things ?

Question

I'm beginning to believe that material things aren't the most important things in life, and I feel inspired to get rid of my belongings unless they REALLY serve a purpose ( kitchenware, clothes, etc . ) . How can I get ready to get rid of my belongings ? How do I know I won't miss my belongings after they're gone ? How can I get over buying new belongings ? Do I make a rule that says "Don't buy any new material things ?" What do I do with my time after I don't collect new belongings ? How can I lose interest in material things ?

Answer 1

YOU NEED NOT GET RID OF YOUR BELONGINGS, YOU CAN SERVE FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE BADLY IN NEED OF YOUR HELP. IF YOU HAVE MONEY SPEND FOR THE CAUSE OF THE UPLIFT OF THE PEOPLE IN ABYSS. IF YOU HAVE INTELLIGENCE, SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE PEOPLE, IF YOU HAVE MORAL COURAGE, RAISE AGAINST THE INJUSTICE METED OUT TO THE DOWN TRODDEN.

Answer 2

If you are trying to de-clutter your life for spiritual reasons, then I commend you. It can be hard to do, but I think you will also find it freeing. As far as "getting ready" is concerned, you have already taken the first step.

If you have a lot of "stuff" cluttering up your life, that you know you don't need, then try this: go through ONE ROOM in ONE DAY, and look at everything in it, and ask yourself "Why do I have this item?". Be scary honest with your answers, and maybe have a friend help you. Friends, good ones, can help you unclutter VERY well. Let's try your living room, for example:

Why do I have these items?
2 Couches, 3 Lazyboy Recliners, 1 coffeetable, throw pillows (ugly and nice), a picture of my parents, several pictures of my kids, two tv's, a VCR, a DVD player, an X-box and games, a fishtank with goldfish, a shelf filled with knicknacks, three dying potted plants, several oddball lithographs on the wall.

Ok, IDK if your living room really looks like that or not, but we can start there. Do you really NEED 2 tvs? If not, get rid of one. Likewise for the 3 lazy boy chairs. Few people have the space for 3, so get rid of one or two. Everybody needs to sit down once in a while. Either throw the plants away, or give
them to a friend that will care for them. Are the knick-nacks yours for emotional reasons (trophies your kids won, for example) or just fancy dust collectors you couldn't resist? If it is the latter, garage sale them as well.
Ugly throw pillows can be thrown out. Consider which entertainment system serves you best, and get rid of the other one (VCR vs DVD).

There is more to being spiritual than throwing out things you don't need. You won't make yourself a better person by stripping your house to the bare walls. You will just find an empty house. That isn't spiritual, that is depressing! But trim off the "fat" stuff, and I think you will find your life a little more healthy.

Good luck.

Answer 3

In a world full of really cool gadgets, it's very hard not to be materialistic. Im a lot less materialistic than I used to be. I used to buy hordes of clothes and electronic "toys" like palm pilots, and computer equiptment, then I realized that 80% of the clothes I buy I never wear more than once, if I wear them at all. There are probably 15 outfits that I wear often. When I realized how little material things do for me and what better things I could have done with my money it makes me think twice before spending on such things. I used to make more money than I do now and it's not such a bad thing. I make enough to pay my bills and stay out of debt but not enough that I can spend $500 at the mall on a whim. If I want something and I have to wait to buy it until I have enough money for it, I appreciate it much more than when I can just run out and get it and it feels a lot better to give $5 when you only have $50 than if you have $5,000.

Answer 4

what you say is true about material things. However, having sold everything i have 2 or 3 times, i find that this kind of existence is mainly for those that TAKE UP THEIR CROSS. In the world you need a place to live. But only those sent Forth need to rely on what other have and give or donate.
Without a computer i cannot write this message, but at the same time i have nothing that can be stolen by thieves. Jesus promised that those who Give up all things will have all things provided. When i gave up everything, i lost many things I wouldve wanted to keep. and I was not called to go forth and preach, i was actually told to go back and work.
Even though i consecrated my life to serve the gospel, the option is not totally made part of my lifes mission. What i do here and now is done because i choose to do so. Not because i was told to do it by God.

Answer 5

People become attached to their "things", however, if you think of it this way: "by donating, I can make someones life easier". It helps in the process of "throwing away" knowing that your items will be in a better place.

I buy things used, instead of buying new when possible.... That way, I know that if I decide that I have to move or grow tired of something, it is not a big loss financially to me.

Donate your time to a charity or good cause. If you don't have alot of time on your hands, schedule a donation pick-up once a month. Set aside a large empty box in your garage or corner of your room and add things to it that you no longer want or can use. Be careful that when you rid of something, you are not doing it only to go out a buy another. So, if you can't live without it, don't donate it.

The question you should ask yourself is, "can I live without this?" before you buy. Your top priority should be food, shelter and clothing. I have developed a hobby of cooking and enveloping my time and money into that instead of shopping for unnecessary items that I may tire of quickly.

Answer 6

All you need to do is go thru all your things, and decide which ones you like the best...Keep them...Then take the others to the garage or a storage place of some kind...If you don't need it anymore, you won't want it...After a year of this, take said items to the Good Will, or other kind of outlet, so others can buy them...I have done this for years, and have never needed these things again, so out they go...
I hope this helps..............Time is well spent asking questions on Yahoo! Answers...Good luck!!!

Answer 7

I donated my things. Possessions are a symbol of stability and home and offer comfort and no one can do without them not even the homeless and downtrodden. If you are contemplating buying new things to replace what you get rid of you may as well keep what you have. It's a waste of money to do that. I haven't replaced any of the things that I gave away because I don't need those things anymore. That's an idea as to what you can clear out if you feel that you HAVE to get rid of some things.

Answer 8

You can live this life with material things, just don't woship them or believe they are more important to you than your family or God. All good things come from God and He wants you to be happy and enjoy life. You can be of this world, but not part of this world. (and things) No, material things are not the most important things in this life, and it's ok to have stuff, just don't worship it and treat things as most important. If God is telling you to sell all your possessions and give to the poor, then by all means do it. Otherwise, prioritize wisely and don't let things rule you.

Answer 9

You need to follow the Spirit in these matters.If you allow man to set you some guidelines here you do away with the Spirit that will lead you into all truths. John 16:13

Answer 10

It isn't really necessary to give all your stuff away. Just being aware that it is just stuff is likely enough. If you want ideas on how to reduce reuse or recycle your local friendly internet is always handy.
Here is one site you might find interesting
http://www.freecycle.org/

edit, I have been in a weird way disapointed with donating to thrift stores. I think that the people who really should benefit don't. I find it better to look around and give to people who will actually use and appreciate what I give to them.

Answer 11

In June of 2000, I walked away from every material thing I had acquired with the exception of one blanket, one pillow, and three days of clothing(a pilgrimage of sorts). What I learned was invaluable, but, I would not recommend it lightly.