A Minimalist, Really?

“I have too many books — I’m a would-be minimalist, but I can’t manage it,” says Deyan Sudjic. the Director of London’s Design Museum.

I feel his pain.

I know his dilemma.

We could be brothers.

A few years ago a black t-shirt caught my eye. On its front was one word:

MINIMALIST.

I liked it so much I now own two. Not kidding.

Worse, both are still in their original wrappers. Clearly I’m saving them for something.

And then there are my books. More than one church I’ve served has been kind enough to build extra shelves for my books.

One congregation even gave me an extra room in the church building as an “adjunct office.” It was soon crammed with bookshelves that were sagging.

Long ago someone wrote, Of the making of books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

Or, as that Museum Director said, “I have too many books — I’m a would-be minimalist, but I can’t manage it.”

And then there’s this: Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.

Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.

It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 

Jesus said that. (Matthew 6:19-21, the message version)