Time for an Upgrade?

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

I have always admired people who live in the same house for decades. In some odd way, I think it demonstrates contentment and loyalty, even though the bond is only to a piece of real estate.

Early in my married life, we moved four times in six years as our family grew to a family of six. The opportunity to spread out into a more comfortable home was definitely a blessing to us. Now, I am glad to be finally settled into the perfect house for our family. As I am older and reflect on our frantic six years of near-constant transitions, I wonder why we Americans always feel the need to upgrade everything.

We can look to folks like Warren Buffett who still lives in the same Omaha house he purchased back in 1958. My friend Mike, who is not quite as wealthy but every bit as practical as Warren, is just such a guy. He and his wife moved into a modest house 42 years ago and are now preparing to make a leap and take the next adventure to the local retirement community.

When their kids were little, many of their friends were moving to bigger and better homes. They also felt the pressure to move as their kids got older and they began to run out of space in. Mike and Margie were praying through their next home purchase…And then, as Mike plainly states, “I went to Ethiopia.” 

He settled back home after the short trip abroad and began to ask himself, “Do I need a bigger house? Or do I need to get rid of more stuff?” 

Good question!

I think we can all learn from Mike when we make our housing decisions. Maybe you should upgrade to give your family more space in a better neighborhood. But first, consider a trip to Ethiopia… Honduras… Kenya… Uzbekistan…or to any country where the Gospel of Jesus is spreading and growing like wild. 

Before you buy a house, take a trip!

Father, give me the discernment to know what I really need and what I do not. Help me to be content and appreciate all I have. It all comes from you. It is all yours. Do what you will with it.