Destined To Perish

These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. - Colossians 2:22

When I was in my mid-twenties I lived with my grandparents while I was going to college full time. I remember how my grandmother covered much of what was in her house to protect it best she could; knitted doorknob covers, the ragtag couch throws, and appliances wrapped with plastic bags were her hope for a few extra years of use out of what she owned. It seemed that my grandmother provided shelter for all of the things she knew would be used. I think she understood Paul's insight to the inevitable future of all things that can be touched, tasted, or handled.  

Everything we use, anything we can touch or put our hands on, and all that brings joy to our pallets has the same future - they come with an expiration date and they will all perish. Even these bodies that have been given to us temporarily will perish with use. This should give us a good perspective on how we are to relate to the "stuff" in our lives. Augustine said it well in his "Confessions", "If physical objects please you, praise God for them, but turn back your love to their Creator, lest, in those things which please you, you displease Him."

The context around what Paul was saying has to do with a wrong view on the place of physical things in our lives. He was addressing the false humility and seeming wisdom of asceticism - an aversion of things God created to be enjoyed for the sake of becoming more spiritual. But the fact of the matter is, God wants us to enjoy his provision to us, yet never to be stuck to it by the glue of addictive love.

Scripture is encouraging us to live in a healthy avoidance of extremes.  

Scripture References:

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:29-31 NIV)