a thought about material possessions

So it's garage sale season in Michigan, and I have been wondering around looking for baby things. I don't usually buy much (for a variety of reasons), but I enjoy looking and talking to the sellers.
It's also a season of giving. Many are cleaning out their homes and giving things away to the various charities or to whoever wants it.
So a friend was cleaning out his place and has some extra tv's, clothes, and other stuff. And he told us he is giving it away to the poor. A nice thing to do of course...don't get me wrong.

So as I was getting ready I started thinking.... why do we have this mentality that the poor want our trash? We think we are doing them a favor. And in some ways we are. I love getting used stuff. But it's not about me getting a rich person's trash. It's really about the way we think about it. Sometimes we give things away because we know someone needs it, and sometimes we give it away because we don't want it. And the poor people must be able to use it, right?

So then I started thinking. What if everything I bought, I bought two of. I buy a nice shirt...and another one. I buy a car...and another one. And the second I give away to someone in need.

I guess the idea is that I am not more deserving of something because I can afford it. And also it would eliminate impulse and ridiculous purchases. I wouldn't think about how I have worked so hard and deserve a BMW.... because I would have to buy two...and unfortunately I might think, "Well, I shouldn't buy two because that person doesn't need a BMW, they just need a car." Well, I really only need a car too.
It's like I think that people who have little money should not only buy what they can afford (obviously), but they don't even deserve the luxurious stuff because they can't afford it....they chose that job, or lack there of...they just need the basics because they are well..fill in the blank. Or what are they going to do with a Gucci purse.

Well, the same applies for me. I am just wondering....if they don't need it or "deserve" it, why do I?
Jesus didn't say, buy what you want and help people in need and live how you want.
He was more of a help people kind of guy. Put others above yourself. Humble yourself. Sell everything you own and follow me.

So yeah.... I am not saying this is what I will be doing.
I am just putting it out there for discussion. And it might be something God continues to pound on my heart... in which case, I will have some surrendering to do.

May all our hearts be convicted by the massive amount of stuff we own and the great need of people around us...both of material things and of emotional things.