The summer missions garage sale was today, run by Eric and Leslie Davis.  Between 6:30am and 4:30pm, the Lord brought in about $2,000.  I didn't hear the final count, but that was the estimate.  It was about the same amount as last year.  I'm sure that some of you donated stuff to the garage sale, so I thought you'd be interested.

A few thoughts:

1. This is an awesome missions fundraiser idea.
2. Eric and Leslie put in a ton of work organizing people and advertising for the sale and planning all the details, as well as doing the huge job of collecting and sorting and tagging and hauling and setting up and bargaining and selling and packing up and loading and hauling a mass of stuff.  I bet they're really tired tonight, but they had wonderful attitudes throughout.  I'd encourage you to email them if you have the chance and say a quick "Thank you" (ldavis@masters.edu and davised@masters.edu).
3. All the leftovers went to Hope Again in Hollywood, which helps the homeless and destitute.  So whether or not the stuff you contributed was bought or not, it's being used for a good purpose.
4. Based on the piles (heaps if you're British) of pure stuff that was sitting in the Oak Manor parking lot today, it's safe to say that we at The Master's College cannot easily dodge the charge of materialism.  Everyone who was there was saying the same thing.  I heard three words over and over again: "This is ridiculous."  It would be one thing if this were a one-time sale.  But there was enough stuff last year to make $2,000, enough stuff this year to make $2,000, and there will be enough stuff next year to make $2,000.  Basically, this means that all the types of things that were sold today will be re-bought during the next year.  Yes, I believe that all of us have legitimate needs, and I think it's fine to buy something from time to time that's just for one's God-centered enjoyment.  But for the sake of — well, for the sake of a lot of things and a lot of people — we should do better.
5. Based on #4: Think really hard about what you buy and why, and whether or not you're storing up your treasure in heaven or here on earth.  Imagine if even half of the stuff out there today had never been bought, and the purchase price for those items (when they were brand new) had been given to missions.  The take would be more around $75,000.  Maybe I'm idealistic.  I think we could do it, though.
6. Fast-forward about 10,000 years when you've been sweetly fellowshipping with the Lord in the happiness of heaven for 9,950 years (not that anyone will be counting, since eternity isn't bound by time).  As you look back on your life from that perspective, ask yourself if you'd buy that new shirt again, or that CD, or that frame, or that stereo, or those shoes, or that addition to your collection… or if you would've done something else with the money.  Hey, maybe you would still make the purchase, and there'd be nothing wrong with your decision.  But maybe — maybe a lot of times — you wouldn't.  And if you realize that you wouldn't, then don't.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."   – Matthew 6:19-21
 

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."   – Jesus in Acts 20:35

Thanks to all who donated stuff, especially those who really made a sacrifice.  May your reward in heaven be great.  And may you not buy more stuff to replace the stuff you donated.