1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Collecting vs. Giving

My wife and I are starting to downsize and get rid of clutter. Well, mostly my clutter.

I have a huge roll-top desks that with multiple cubby holes and drawers: perfect for organizing.
Perfect for a sentimentalist traveler to collect collectables:
A cast lead statuette of Davy Crockett.
A partial container of Korean chocolate.
Two Kodachrome slides... Arches National Park and the Grand Canyon, respectively.
Drawings my son-in-law did while listening to my sermons.
An inlaid, Mexican box, holding two species of scarab beetles.
A wooden, Russian Easter egg.
A miniature bottle of Haitian rum.

Paul told Timothy:
1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NASB95) — 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

With our American wealth, it's easy to collect. Little souvenirs may seem innocuous compared to collecting big ticket items like vehicles, sporting goods. Size or monetary value isn't the issue. The issue is: what gives value to my life?

Would giving away my inconsequential memorabilia make me "rich in good works?" Maybe I should flip the question around. What's the cost of letting anything take up time and space in my life? How do my possessions limit my being generous and ready to share in other ways?

God, give me the grace to let go of what I need to release, so my hands are free to "take hold of that which is life indeed." Amen.