In reality, Vern doesn’t have much. He has a bone, a rope toy, and a collar that is rough around the edges. Everything else is given to him from his human parents. Food and water are rationed out when it is felt that he needs refreshment and treats for obeying.
If someone was to ask the Frenchie about his possessions, he wouldn’t have much to say. His small collection of material things don’t define who he is. And with nothing to give, he is loved for no other reason except that he is Vern.
The people of the first century church were similar to Vern in this manner. In Acts 4:32, it states, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”
Why would these people so freely give up all their possessions? Why would they act in such a radical manner? Because they didn’t want to be defined by what they owned, but by their relationship with Christ.
As I have been camping this month, I have met several people who have sold everything and bought an RV to live in. They have no residence to hold them to a certain place. Instead where ever they pull their trailer to, is their home. And when asked, most of them would say it is extremely freeing.
Vern appears to be content with his few possessions. And what he does have, he is eager to share with his sister Bee. So why do we think our possessions will bring us happiness? If you watched Vern and Bee, they are perfectly happy. If only we could be so content.
