We live in a consumer-driven society. The market-place has so many options and such competition, that we consumers often don’t know which way to turn. Perfectionists like me have a terrible time shopping because we never have enough information to know we’re getting the best deal. And the accumulation of “stuff” becomes a life goal, as if it will somehow save us.

There’s an old illustration about a technique Africans use to capture monkeys. They put a banana in a small-mouthed jar chained to a tree. The monkey will reach in to get the banana, and get his hand stuck in the jar. Because he refuses to let go of the banana, he is captured. He could have easily set himself free if he had just been willing to let go of his prized possession.

When people release their grip on the things of this world, they are so liberated.

Tags: freedom, money, stewardship