Compulsive hoarding, also known as hoarding disorder, is a complex condition characterized by the excessive acquisition of items and the inability to discard them. This leads to cluttered living spaces that can pose safety and health risks. Hoarding is considered a mental health disorder and is associated with significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Though the Bible does not directly address hoarding disorder, it does contain principles and verses that can provide wisdom and insight into this issue. By examining what the Bible says about materialism, greed, anxiety, and contentment, we can begin to understand the spiritual roots of hoarding and discover biblical solutions.
The Dangers of Materialism and Greed
At its core, hoarding represents an unhealthy attachment to possessions and a distorted view of their importance. The Bible warns against materialism and greed throughout Scripture, recognizing that an obsession with “things” can lead us away from God and a life of meaning and purpose.
Jesus instructed his followers, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). He understood that material wealth and belongings do not provide lasting fulfillment. Elsewhere, we read his words, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
The writer of Ecclesiastes also warned about the emptiness of a life focused on accumulating more and more possessions. “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus told about a man who was obsessed with building bigger storehouses to hold all his grain and goods. The man thought this would guarantee his future security and happiness. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20). This illustrates the foolishness of finding meaning in one’s possessions.
Proverbs 15:27 sums it up: “The greedy bring ruin to their households.” Hoarding, rooted in greed and materialism, leads to pain and loss in the end.
Overcoming Anxiety and Finding Contentment
Experts point to anxiety as a major contributor to compulsive hoarding. Hoarders often feel intense distress when faced with discarding items because of fear – fear of making the wrong decision, fear of losing something valuable, and fear of uncertainty about the future.
The Bible encourages us to rely on God when we feel anxious or afraid. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Rather than finding security in material things, God wants us to trust in His faithful provision. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5).
The antidote to discontentment and excessive acquisition is developing an attitude of gratitude and contentment. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:1-7). Contentment comes from God’s grace, not our possessions.
Cultivating Generosity and Stewardship, Not Ownership
Hoarding is characterized by a strong sense of ownership – the hoarder feels the need to control and keep possessions. But the Bible views all we have as gifts on loan from God, entrusted to us for a time to manage and share.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). We are called to cultivate an open hand, not a closed grasping fist. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).
Rather than hoarding resources for self, we honor God when we freely share with others. “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:11). “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17).
The early church provides a great model of collective stewardship and generosity: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45). When we recognize all we have comes from God, hoarding loses its grip over us.
Building Treasures in Heaven, Not on Earth
Ultimately, hoarding comes down to a distorted treasuring of earthly, temporary things over eternal rewards. Jesus exhorted his followers, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Paul wrote about fixing our eyes on unseen, eternal realities versus visible, worldly things: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
We demonstrate where our heart is based on where we invest our time, money and energy. Serving God and loving others is what produces “fruit that will last” (John 15:16). The more we pursue heavenly treasures that align with God’s kingdom values, the less power material possessions will have over us.
Finding Identity and Worth in Christ
Beneath the surface of hoarding often lies issues with poor self-image, fear of worthlessness, and identity struggles. When our identity gets tied to possessions, we can falsely believe “things” impart status or value.
The truth is, our worth and identity is found in Christ alone – not our job title, bank account, possessions or accomplishments. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s love for us does not fluctuate based on material wealth. He offers unconditional acceptance and belonging. Our security comes from being hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3).
Knowing our true identity sets us free from seeking value in things. Our self-esteem can rest securely in how God sees us through Christ. This liberates us to use what we have for God’s glory and the good of others.
Taking Responsibility and Active Steps
Though compulsive hoarding has complex roots, there are proactive steps we can take to overcome it. A passive approach of just waiting and hoping for the situation to improve rarely works.
James wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). The Bible advocates personal responsibility and action in overcoming sinful habits or mindsets. We see this in Jesus’ instruction to radically cut off and cast aside whatever causes us to stumble (Matthew 5:29-30). Paul, too, wrote about disciplines like self-control and perseverance that help subdue fleshly impulses (Galatians 5:22-23).
With God’s strength, we can take difficult but necessary actions – decluttering, removing excess possessions, establishing organization systems, seeking accountability and counseling. As we take responsibility before God, He is gracious to equip us for change.
Cultivating Eternal Perspective
Setting our minds on eternity is a powerful remedy for the trap of hoarding. C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.” When we recognize this world is not our final home, it frees us hold possessions lightly.
Corrie ten Boom said, “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” Scripture exhorts us: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
May God grant us an eternal mindset that overpowers the strong pull of materialism and hoarding. As we set our hearts and treasures on His kingdom, we will find freedom and joy in blessing others with generous open hands.
Additional Insights from Scripture
– “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay 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)
– “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
– “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
– “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
– “For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” (1 Timothy 6:7)
– “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)
– “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
– “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)
– “There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
– “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
– “No one can ransom another or give to God the price for that person’s life.” (Psalm 49:7)
– “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)
– “A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” (Proverbs 28:22)
– “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
– “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
