Habits To Hoard Beyond The Pandemic
Title: Habits To Hoard Beyond The Pandemic
Artwork by: YMI
Description: How many toilet rolls have you bought recently? If you’ve lost count, well, you’re probably not alone. One thing this Covid-19 pandemic has shown us is that we all have a tendency to hoard things for self-preservation, or even just for a sense of security.
But what if we take a step back and consider what are the real treasures we should be stockpiling in our lives, which will never get stolen or rotten (Matthew 6:19-21)? How can we live in light of eternity and not in light of our current pandemic?
Stocking up on rolls of toilet paper might help soothe our nerves and allay our fears for a while, but what if our actions deprive our neighbor–who may be in actual need of it?
Jesus encourages His followers to “sell their possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33). Clearly, hoarding for ourselves is the last thing on Jesus’ mind. Instead, He wants us to put the needs of others before ourselves, and share what we have.
Besides, giving a toilet roll or two to our neighbor wouldn’t hurt. Let’s give away those extra rolls of toilet paper we bought on impulse to those who lack, and are in greater need.
It’s good for us to stock up on food supplies in case of a lockdown (for those of us who still have the luxury of roaming about freely). But beyond just taking care of our physical diets, have we been tending to our spiritual needs?
Bread can satisfy our hunger–temporarily. But we get hungry again. Similarly, we need to keep feasting on the bread of life, the Word of God. Let’s savor His truth and treasure it daily, for it prevents us from sinning (Psalm 119:11), and helps us to stand firm when trials like this pandemic hits us (Matthew 7:24-25)–if we’re being careful to put these words into practice (Joshua 1:8).
Perhaps the one good thing that has come out of this situation is that we’re all a lot more conscious about hygiene and cleanliness. If washing and sanitizing your hands is becoming second nature to you, you’re on the right track!
Let’s not just stop at outward cleanliness though. Each time we wash our hands, let’s be reminded of the greater need to rid ourselves from the filth of sin. Let us confess and repent of our sins daily, and ask God to actively show forth the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23a). Hand sanitizers may only kill 99.9 percent of bacteria, but Jesus cleanses 100 per cent of our sins.
Though our current situation demands us to “socially distance” ourselves from one another, how do we do so without compromising on fellowship with one another? Hebrews 10:25 encourages us to not give up meeting together, but to encourage and spur each other on (Ephesians 4:13). Besides, the church is not a physical building, but a community of believers.
Now is the time to exercise creativity and intentionality in continuing to “meet” face to face (over video), and encouraging one another. Covid-19 might keep us apart physically, for a period, but it can’t stop us from connecting emotionally.
As we live through this unprecedented time, let us set our minds on things above, and not on this earth (Colossians 3:2). Above all, let us treasure Jesus, and our relationship with Him, and each other.
Thank you for these tips!
i keep myself occupied with reading the Bible books and by translating Christian material in my mother tongue
An idea that can’t be forgotten, thanks