"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world … the world passeth away" (1 John 2:15,17).

Forty years ago, veteran missionary Mr. E.H. Sims said to me, "The stores today are full of so many things one can do without!" A brother once heard him having a conversation in his tent and wondered who could be with him. No one! He was just talking with his Saviour! "Uncle Bert's" life was so uncluttered with the things of this world that he was able to enjoy constant communion with his Lord. Are the things which are "passing away" cluttering up my life and taking up my time and affection?

—David Croudace