Gabriel Marcel captures the corrupting nature of much of it. The more I treat my own ideas, or my stables, or greenhouse, as something belonging to me, the more surely will these possessions, by their very inertia, exercise a tyrannical power over me. The self becomes incorporated into the thing possessed. To possess is almost inevitably to be possessed. Things possessed get in the way.
Death is the flat denial of nondisposability.
The quality of our spiritual life is somehow defined by the capacity to detach ourselves from so much we consider indispensable to our personhood. And as for death being the flat denial of indisposability, we need only remember the quaint story told of Aristotle Onassis. In making our pledges this year we might risk some more right off the top in our gifts to the church. And who knows, it might even make a difference on our other household financial decisions, so that, if you will, the presence and cause of Christ and his church will make an impact across the board on how we spend and save. First of all, I hope as we meet about plans and program, space and property, income and expenses, personnel and portfolio, I do hope amid the Balkanization of interests, needs and desires we resist confusing means with ends and never forget we live by the sign of the love and risk of the Cross.