Skip to main content

Too Many Clothes


About a year ago, I read Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne and I remember being so overwhelmed with all the things I felt I needed to change in my life. At that point I made a decision to take one thing from each book that I read. I couldn't handle more than that.

A few weeks back I finished reading Ronald Sider's book, Rich Christians in an Age of Poverty. I once again could have been overwhelmed, but I decided to take one thing, (I might cheat and take a few) here is the thing I am taking from this book.

Sider talks a lot about living more simply and giving more to help the poor (especially giving to micro loan organizations), he mentions in his book that he thinks that most of the people reading the book could go 2 years without buying new clothes. I have decided to take the challenge (many people I know, especially the youth from my church, are thinking - hasn't he done that the last 15 years already?). Regardless, here are the items in my closet that I am starting out with.

Shirts
  • 1 hoody
  • 6 long sleeve shirts
  • 2 sweaters
  • 5 short-sleeved button up shirts
  • 12 long-sleeved button up shirts
  • 18 T-shirts or polo shirts
Pants:
  • 4 Jeans
  • 2 Cargo Pants
  • 3 Casual Pants
  • 4 Shorts
  • 3 Swim Trunks
3 Suits and 1 Coat

44 Shirts! FORTY FOUR SHIRTS, am I serious?! I don't know if that is normal, but it is sickening to me. I really don't think of myself as being concerned about fashion, but somehow I have obtained XLIV shirts! Especially button-up shirts, I don't even like dressing up! I will not see new clothes for the next 2 years.

Anyone want to join me? Or at least let me know how many shirts you have just to see if I am a freak (or a pack rat) or not.
Labels:

Comments

Brian said…
Exciting challenge! I've recently been wondering if I have too many clothes. Part of my committment is to not only abstain from buying new clothes, but going through and figuring out which ones I "need" (or at least wear often) and which ones I can go without.

I have a friend without a coat and I have two, he's getting one next time I see him.

I'm not quite ready to commit to going two years, but I'm there with you in spirit.

PS Now I have another book to add to my reading list. Thanks!?
7:48 am
Anonymous said…
Great book isn't it? I just read it this summer, loved it. I just ordered Re:jesus from Michael Frost, Alan Hirsch. Anyway, i think you can do it. I decided a while ago if I get new cloths, which is never that i will give away my old ones, or at least go one for one.
MIss ya
2:31 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Should I Bring Jesus to the Poor?

I met this young lady who works for an inner city organization that works with children. She has been working there for 10 years. She said one thing in particular that really struck me. She said, "I used to think that when I came to the inner city to work with these kids that I would bring Jesus to them, but when I got here and started working with them, I started to realize that Jesus was already here." It struck me because I think that we middle class people (not just Christians) think that we should go into the inner-city and "rescue" people from their situation. We often feel as though we have all the answers and they have everything wrong. Is it possible that it is the other way around? Is it possible that people who live on the streets...those who don't worry about tomorrow, those who are not obsessed with money or material possessions actually have something to teach us? I think so. So in response to the question, "Should I bring Jesus to the po...
2 comments
Read more

"Christian" Music

The whole idea of "Christian" music has bothered me lately. There is this whole industry that exists to produce and sell "Christian" music. It's as if the music itself could be Christian...I am pretty sure that music itself does not have a soul (well OK there is Soul music, but c'mon!). I prefer to think that music is just music, sometimes Christians play it, sing it or write it. What if Christians did not have the advantage of having Christian labels producing their music, or Christian radio stations playing their music and Christian book stores selling their music? I think it would be wonderful...I think there would be more "Christian" music on secular radio stations and in regular music stores. There would be Christian artists who are more prepared to be honest about their faith. There would be people outside the Christian circles who might be exposed to some good Christian artists (I think there are a couple of those!?). I think this would make...
4 comments
Read more

Jesus was 33 When he Was Crucified

Our Sr. Pastor mentioned in his sermon a while back that Jesus was 33 when he died.  I guess it struck a real cord with me because I am still thinking about it, I guess the fact that I am 34 has something to do with it.  I wonder at the things he accomplished, things that have had some staying power ( 2.1 Billion people claim to be his follower).   This has stirred me to reflect on my life, what have I accomplished in my 34 years? As I think about that I realize that the things that I pursue as "great things" are not very much like what Jesus considered to be great.  Jesus didn't start any programs, he only spoke to crowds that gathered around him naturally (he didn't do any advertising).  Jesus wasn't a dynamic personality, people were drawn to him because of who he was, not because he was a great leader, or a powerful person.  The only group he formed was a group that just kind of wandered around with him seemingly aimlessly.  He avoided crowds, had a quiet per...
4 comments
Read more