October 11, 2006 7:03 PM
In a land of plenty, less is more
[an article I wrote for our church newsletter last month]
In a land of plenty, less is more
Long ago, when I was a latchkey kid, my mother would leave a couple dollars and a grocery list for after school. I’d walk a few blocks down New Hampshire Avenue to the neighborhood market, load a rusty basket, and cross my fingers I’d have enough money to make it through the line without having to put anything back.
Fifty years later I shop in a sprawling suburban megamarket, brimming over with a selection of foods fit for a king. Today I don’t worry whether the money will stretch to cover the list of what our family needs; I worry more about the ease with which I can buy things we don’t really need at all.
While many Christians today would agree that when it comes to comfortable consumerism, we have a responsibility to not just go with the flow, the problem is that we’ve been going with the flow for so long – incorporating escalating standards of what we “need” and “deserve” – that it’s hard to have a clear perspective.
As a dose of reality, compare the 750 square foot houses of 1947 Levittown – which made home ownership possible for many grateful families – with the McMansions we lust after and feel entitled to today. Today we take two or three cars per family for granted. I grew up in a family that couldn’t afford even one.
It is truly surreal, the ease with which we feed, clothe, house and transport ourselves in America – and the cavalier attitude with which we accept such abundance. Disappointing too that often those inside the Body of Christ don’t look that different from those outside: Not only are some Christians caught up in conspicuous consumerism, but way too many are impressed by it, thinking more highly of wealthy Christians because of the mistaken notion that they are “blessed.”
They’re not. Take it from Jesus, who said it would be easier for a camel to slip through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24).
While it might seem in theory that having money would be liberating, in reality it is like opening a Pandora’s Box full of selfish desires. How easy it is to get hooked on trading up! A perfectly comfortable home for something more elegant and impressive, a reliable car for a newer sleeker model? Why not?
Amidst the cultural clamor of Supersize! and Have it Your Way! – the inner seductive whispers of God wants you to have the desires of your heart and You’ve worked hard, tithed plenty, so you deserve it – somewhere the still, small voice must be saying, Just because you can buy it doesn’t mean you should.
Many of us give a lot and yet still never reach the point of sacrifice. Doesn’t that mean we should give more?
Because there is no end to the need for our resources. And they’re not really ours anyway – just on loan to us by God. Which, when I remember this makes it easier to pass up the new, improved model of whatever I thought I needed – or even a simple latte – in order to subsidize a farm, a well, a herd of sheep, a brood of chickens or a goat or cow to provide one family with milk. These options and more are available through the World Vision gift catalogue --a place where one Christmas our family did all our shopping. After all, what really did we need the way the people in the catalogue needed the basics to get by?
Over and over, Jesus encouraged/exhorted/commanded us to care for our brothers. This precept is truly what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. It is the reason we go to the ends of the earth – not just to preach the gospel but to live it by feeding, clothing, and caring for those in need. It is also the direction we must take to pull ourselves out of our selfishness and complacency.
In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan notes that we cannot avoid Vanity Fair unless we leave this world. But we can pass through without getting caught up in the lust of the marketplace if, as his hero Christian says, we only buy the truth. The truth is clear and simple. We cannot serve both God and money. (Luke 16:13) Each day, each decision, each purchase we make is a reflection of this simple choice.
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Other relevant verses:
Matthew 6:24
1Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19
Luke 21:2-4
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 - I'm going to quote this here because I love the poetry of Ecclesiastes:
10 Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether he eats little or much,
but the abundance of a rich man
permits him no sleep.
Posted in Church Issues, Inspiration | Permalink
Comments
I agree whole heartedly. I was just telling my sister in law the other day that our goal (my husband and myself) was to pay off all our debt and perhaps stay in the home we are renting. We want to pay off the debt and then save for our children but also bless others who are needy. I have heard before from people who don't understand why I can enjoy having 5 (soon to be 6) children in a 1100 square foot home. As a Christian, my goal now is to live according to the Word of God. If I don't achieve my dream of living off the land then that is fine. I am content as can be in my home, which is old, drafty and in need of some repairs but it is much more than what a lot of people have. And to think that I have so much more than what I grew up with. No gas or electric at times, we only had a car 2 or 3 years of my life (off and on) and we constantly went begging for food at the Salvation Army. Today I am thankful when I open my cupboards and refigerator and see food in there, food God has blessed us with.
Honestly, I am ashamed of how materialistic America can be. I think that God is calling His true church to focus on contentment and NOT on how do we afford another trip to Disneyland. I pray more people's hearts are turned towards what God wants from us and stop focusing on what makes them happy or what the world expects from us. I have lived next to "The Jones" and trust me, it's really no big deal.
Mrs. DMG
Posted by: Mrs. DMG | October 11, 2006 10:25 PM
i was just wondering yesterday, how is the Curtis family vision for downsizing working itself out?
Posted by: floorplan | October 12, 2006 6:26 AM
This is so true. And I've been becoming increasingly convicted of this lately. When I had less, I needed pretty much what I bought, and now that I have more, I'm realizing that I keep spending more and more, but just as you say, just because I have it doesnt mean I should spend it. Very good post. Can I link to you???
davecaromom@yahoo.com
Posted by: dcrmom | October 12, 2006 6:58 AM
Oh, what a great post! My mom and I were just talking about this, this morning. I have lived in a "smaller" house (1,000 sq. feet and no basement) and have gotten so many comments on how "small" it is, how "it's a good starter home" (even though we have lived here for 10 years now)and many other "negative" comments. I have struggled with these people because I have always loved my home and didn't really look at it as small until all the rest of the people started making negative comments. We eventually made our double garage into a bedroom and a "library" sort of a room, which has really helped and made our square footage bigger, but people are still making comments, especially family.... so frustrating. I liken it to a person being born with a large birthmark on their face and not knowing and being happy and then someone coming along and saying "What is that?!?" But then after the years of comments from people, I have learned that they just don't really understand how happy WE are here and how by keeping a smaller house, I get to stay home with the kids!!
I love this article you wrote, how incredibly true it is.
~B
Posted by: B | October 12, 2006 9:48 AM
A hearty AMEN to this post Barbara.
Posted by: Lindsey | October 12, 2006 10:40 AM
Ouch.... I realy needed to read that. Thank you!
I wanted to mention that I live in a small post-war home built for the families of soldiers who were going to college... It's about 750 sq feet of finished space (plus basement.) It's very challenging to have 2 children in this space, and I do dream of a larger kitchen and extra bathroom, but still I really love my home.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 12, 2006 11:02 AM
talk about total conviction! what is it about fall that causes such conviction? My pastor at church has been talking about money, riches, and excesses too...you are right!
Posted by: Linda | October 12, 2006 1:40 PM
Barbara,
I just finished reading The Mommy Manual and just wanted to say "thanks". It's truly a jewel with lots of ideas and suggestions. Some of them we were already doing, but some of them I had never thought about.
This post is so "right where I'm at" right now. I'm doing a Beth Moore study on Daniel and the whole them is about living with integrity in our own modern day Babylon. Our society today is full of "it's all about me" mentality and how much can I have. She's challenged us to make some decisions about how we live and to simplify our lives. God's been working on me and I've begun to have a strong conviction about how much TV I watch. We're considering putting the TV up, but then we have a day like today where 2 of my kids are sick (fever stomach stuff) and we're all camped out watching videos. I'd have to get the TV out and don't want to mess with it...>SO it's still out but not in use as much anymore.
Thanks again.
Angie
Posted by: Angie | October 12, 2006 1:48 PM
Your post reminded me of a Garrison Keillor quote:
"Children are durable and don’t necessarily wilt under adversity, just as our children don’t necessarily thrive under luxury and comfort."
Posted by: Carol in Oregon | October 13, 2006 2:03 AM
Great article, Barbara!!
Back in May when we found out we were expecting our sixth child, I prayed specifically for a house that would meet our needs. I asked the Lord for a house that just needed to be cleaned up/painted, with enough bedrooms for our family and a yard for the children to play in and grow a vegetable garden. Within 3 weeks we found the house we had been searching so long for.
We are about to move into our first "real house" after living in 980 square foot trailer for the last 16 years. Our new house will be 1500 square feet (not including the basement for our soon to be family of eight (baby due in Jan). I know people look at this house and think it is too small for our large family. While the house is not big by todays standards it meets our needs.
This is an answer to prayer that has taken twelve years of waiting. We are very grateful to have this house!!
Thanks again for a great article that helps to keep me grounded and able to ignore what others think.
Karen
Posted by: Karen | October 13, 2006 9:52 AM
Like Angie, I am doing the Beth Moore study too. God has been using many things like this post, the bible study, the EE devotionals, to open my eyes about the over-indulgence in our society. It has made me so grateful for what we have, but I'm also trying to figure out what the Lord would have me do or give up to counter the effect of our culture for my family.
Posted by: Laurie | October 13, 2006 11:12 AM
My grandfather was a fairly wealthy man in his business years and (from what I udnerstand) lavished his children without spoilage, yet he always said, "The more you have, the more you need. Keep life simple, it's just easier that way." He is so right.
We struggle from day to day at our house wondering if we'll make ends meet or not; will we have enough to pay all our utilities or will we have to rob Peter (the grocery list) to pay Paul (the shelter); will we have enough for groceries and rent and a birthday present this month? It goes on and on and I'd like nothing more than to be able to have a safety nest of one month's salary for emergencies and be able to take care of each item every month without the worries; I'd like to have a little extra so the hubby and I could go out once a month by ourselves; I'd like no to worry about it all. Having said that about our situation, "the have more need more' still applies to us.
Posted by: the SmockLady | October 13, 2006 12:21 PM
Barbara, thanks so much for sharing this.....It has been on my heart for quite some time now, and I know I still have a ways to go...... Would it be OK if I shared a few websites that have blessed me in my journey?
www.thegrocerygame.com
www.couponmom.com
www.hillbillyhousewife.com
All of these websites help cut down on the grocery bill, especially hill billy house wife, which encourages ( yummy-mostly easy) cooking from scratch. :)
Blessings
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | October 13, 2006 2:28 PM
The children of Tsar Nicholas II, the autocrat of all the Russias and therefore one of the wealthiest people of his day, were given small allowances, slept on Army cots, took cold baths, and were very deliberately not spoiled. (The allowances were so modest that the four daughters often gave joint gifts from their pooled allowances._) During World War I, the Tsaritsa and the older daughters acted as Red Cross nurses. Perhaps we should learn something from this....
(obviously I've read and reread many volumes on the Romanovs!)
Posted by: Katie Gillet | October 13, 2006 3:50 PM
I still need to hear this often, though I truly have no excuse. My dh's family (6 kids still at home) still lives in two mud huts, probably not much more floor space than the downstairs of our house. We look "poor" by American standards, but when I think of my in-laws, I blush at the luxury we live in. What on earth do I have to complain about?
This is a helpful reminder as we are getting ready to move into a *smaller* house about the time our 3rd child arrives. I know it can be done, but my cultural brainwashing keeps trying to tell me it just won't work. Ugh.
Posted by: Margaret | October 14, 2006 11:19 PM
