Vestiges

[marshac]

As a new convert, I have some stuff (wine, various spirits, teas, like 15 pounds of coffee including some delicious kona peaberry beans...etc) that I should probably get rid of.

If you were in this position, how would you dispose of it? Most of this stuff is not cheap (think $100/bottle items), and I would cry if I just dumped it down the drain.... but at the same time, how am I supposed to feel handing this stuff off to friends? Just because I can't consume it anymore.... should they? Should I be imposing my "new" beliefs on them by denying them items i'm divesting myself of?

I know they want it.... they have already been claiming "dibs" on specific items.... in some ways it's like watching my own estate sale

So what would you do?

[Gillebre]

Give it to your friends.

Don't impose your beliefs on your friends. They know how you feel about it, hence the 'dibbs' on the stuff they know you won't have anything to do with anymore.

Dumping it down the sink would be a total waste of some expensive stuff. Don't overthink it too much. Maybe you can say a prayer about it if you're still uncertain what to do, but my advise beyond prayer is to just give it to someone who'll make better use of your hard earned money than pouring it down the drain.

[Guest Alana]

Giving it to them is a good missionary moment. Maybe you have some neighbors you don't know too well that would like some also? I really don't see you giving it to them as though you are 'leading them astray' not at all.

[NeuroTypical]

Your mileage may vary:

When my mom gave up smoking, she gave her last cartons of cigarettes to her sister who was traveling to Romania, to bribe the border guards as they adopted and took a kid out.

When I increased my own personal discipleship and had a lot of awful music CD's sitting there, I just tossed them in the trash. I had no personal attachment to them.

You can always store them and use them as barter items when society collapses and mad max rules the day.

I dunno - I think the other responses here are good too, and probably a bit more realistic.

LM

(still keeps tools in coffee cans)

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Yard sale or EBay.

[john doe]

If they have a relatively high sale value, I wouldn't condemn a man for selling rather than giving it away.

[Dravin]

Molotov Cocktails*. Use without consumption, its a win/win!:)

*Yes, I know whiskey or what have you probably wouldn't work well (or at all), but its a nice thought.

[hordak]

Give them away. The only reason those things are "bad" to you is because you have made a covenant not to use them. Don't "punish" your friends for your choice.

[Truegrits]

When my father died, he left quite a few boxes of unopened cigars. I knew the elderly gentleman across the street smoked. I did not feel as if I were leading him astray by giving them to him. They were greatly appreciated.

[pushka]

Does anybody here keep those items that they no longer use, such as tea and coffee, to give to visiting relatives/friends who do drink them?

I'm asking this partly because of a comment I heard about somebody having had help from church welfare with their shopping, and then when the till receipt was checked it was discovered that they had bought...shock of all shocks!! tea and coffee amongst their other items...

Are we really to be that picky when we know we are likely to have visitors who drink tea and coffee?

[Moksha]

Some poor family would delight in having those items. It feels good to give where the gift is needed and appreciated. That is really premium coffee and hundred dollar a bottle wines would add greatly to the holliday dinners of those less affluent gentiles.

[angela]

If it's expensive definately sell it to make some $ back on it!!! Craigslist sounds like an idea!

[bytor2112]

I had been given a gift of some Starbucks coffee and I decided to give it to a friend, rather than throw it away. My 13 year old son frankly told me that I shouldn't encourage my friends to do wrong. ( I gave it to him anyway) but , what a great lesson from my son.:)

[talisyn]

Birthday and Christmas presents. Unless you think you might have a problem with the stuff being in the house, in which case I advise immediate distribution to understanding family and friends.