Aparigraha

There was a sentence in the definition of aparigraha that caught my attention, “the collection or hoarding of things implies a lack of faith in God and in himself to provide for his future.”  

We have all discussed the idea of giving up social media and other things for the sake of limiting our daily distractions, but I have never thought of having an abundance of things as a lack of trust in God.  I always saw it from the point of view that, if I have these things, then God has blessed me with them in order to provide for me in some way, whether it be now or later.  

I do agree with the additional idea of not accepting favors from others that you have not worked for; however, that is due more to my pride and the feeling that one must work for  everything rather than the notion that it is wrong to accept gifts.  I believe that much is gained from working towards something, and that not working for what we receive can cultivate laziness, ungratefulness, and complacency.  Although, there are times I believe that the receiving of gifts is beneficial for both the giver and the receiver.  Giving, especially when one does not have much to give, can in fact encourage the kind of trust in God that aparigraha works towards.  

So, I suppose I would have to take this concept on by a case to case basis in order to agree with it.  I don’t think that people should keep beyond what they need, but I also believe see the blessing in what God gives us, whether it be through gifts or hard work.