Blog Archives - The Richland Church of Christ

Spoil or Fade

Posted on Oct 15, 2024 in Blog, Tom |

Toilet paper… The US hoarders are at it again. A few weeks ago, the news was full of headlines warning the US populace of a dockworkers strike. This strike was going to halt supply lines and the importation of goods. And what did many people do? They went out and stockpiled toilet paper. Why toilet paper? The prevailing theory is that toilet paper is a zero-risk commodity. There is no shelf-life, meaning a person could essentially buy one thousand rolls and would eventually use them up; coupled with the fact that they are large and bulky, a person feels constructive and productive as they prepare for uncertainty. It is all an exercise in what makes people feel secure.

For this scenario, the funny part is that psychologically, we can convince ourselves that it makes sense, but when viewed logically, we all see the futility of the endeavor. Toilet paper should be the lowest priority of all the items to hold onto. Food, water, and shelter are more advantageous for survival. Toilet paper is an indicator of our modern frailty and luxury. In the Western world, toilet paper wasn’t readily available until the turn of the 20th century. Which tells me there are other ways to cleanse the derriere. Like the majority of humans throughout human history, we would all survive if toilet paper manufacturing ceased.

Toilet paper highlights our need for perceived security and control. We dislike feeling helpless and will go to great lengths to mitigate that feeling. We should keep this in mind: feelings are not great at giving directions; they only alert us to emotions. Just because I feel out of control does not mean I am out of control. Our perceptions aren’t reality, but we should still take note of why we feel the way we do.

Concerning security and feelings, Jesus has this profound teaching.

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”

We imagine we can gain security and control by gathering material goods. Jesus informs his followers that this is frivolous, as all these things will perish with time. The elements listed not only decay with time but also from inactivity. Fabrics and metal wear out when they sit dormant in a box. Not using the goods frequently increases their deterioration.

Jesus’ instruction is clear-there is a way to preserve your treasures where they will never disappear. It’s not through stockpiling but through a change in heart. Our feelings may tell us that we are insecure, but the reality is that we are engaging in a realm that is eternal. We are not to be consumed by consumerism but rather to place heavenly realities as our most important objective. It’s a shift in perspective, a reorientation of our values, that can lead us to true security and control.

Toilet paper is designed to be used and discarded. It may provide comfort for a moment but is inconsequential to the greater reality. So, too, is every other possession that we acquire. No earthly material will last forever; therefore, the control and security that we believe it can grant us is deceptive.

Once you know that in your heart, you can see that only true security is found in the One who rules both heaven and earth; we gain control by giving God the power over our lives. There will always be moments when the world seems chaotic and overwhelming. Uncertainty in our future makes us want to hoard and control, but we would still be at the mercy of the deterioration of the things around us. The only way to mitigate these feelings of uneasiness is to hold onto those things that won’t spoil or fade.