For the last two weeks, I’ve been working to finish off our basement. The process meant moving items that were left behind by the previous owners. Yes, moving them from one location to another, so I could build walls and put them in place. I finally got some help and moved most of it out to the pole barn. There are still some pieces that “might” be used, but they should be moved out also. Every time I move them means time and energy expended that could be used for doing the finishing work! The principle is “be ordered or do extra work.” It’s a simple principle about the Lord.

The apostle Paul made it clear, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40 NKJ) Why do all things decently and in order? Because God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). What is the consequence of a lack of order? Extra work!

What happens when you don’t put your keys back in the right place? You spend extra time and work looking for them! What happens when you leave things lying around and do not put them away? You spend extra time and work looking for things and trying to get them ordered when you get tired of looking at the “confusion.” What happens when you keep things sitting around that are no longer being used? You spend time moving them from location to location – extra time and work!

This is a simple principle, but when there are whole programs built on the excesses accumulating and not maintaining order (“The Hoarders”), this is important. How would you help (disciple) someone who keeps too much “stuff” that cannot be put into order and consumes extra time and work?