Imagine for a moment that you go without that $50 dress every other week from that boutique downtown. You still "wouldn't have anything to wear." Imagine, God forbid, that your next car is used with cloth seats and a cassette player. Would spending an extra ten grand get you where you're going any faster?
Even if you don't consider yourself frivolous, the little things add up: daily trips to Sonic happy hour, quick trip to CVS for some $7 lip gloss, OPI in at least twenty shades.
By no means am I saying that spending any money whatsoever on ourselves is wrong, but what if that 40 bucks a month didn't disappear into half-full cups in our trash and into the bottom of our cosmetic bags? Can you think of something better to invest in?
A savings account? Perhaps. A high-interest bond? Maybe. But what about investing in others? Travis sends money every month to Jaypreem, a missionary in Nepal spreading God's word. At first, and embarrassingly so, this sparked a bit of anger in me. Tell me we can't go out and eat because you don't have the money, but then cough up the amount of two Veranda dinners every month for this dude. About 5 seconds after this thought entered my mind, I felt something smack me in the head like on the V8 commercials. God needs this money more than my hips need the 20g of fat from a steak.
God calls us to sacrifice. He didn't tell the rich man to get rid of his silver or a few cattle, he told him to sell everything he had. We must trust God to take care of us without the desire for all of the "extra" comforts of this world. I have a job, a place to live, a car (it's ten years old but it gets me there), and plenty of food. I am wealthy. Maybe not compared to a lot of people, but I lack nothing I need. In a world of brand names and designer tags it can be hard to feel satisfied at times, but we must remember to refill our longings with our desire for God.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight." Luke 16:13-15.
See? This isn't a new thing. Sometimes we are like the Pharisees and we justify our indulgences by comparing ourselves to others. My car is on her last leg and I've never been to Disney World. But I am wealthier than almost 90% of people on this earth. I am so very blessed.
I challenge you to join me in the Have Less movement. This week, give up at least one thing you want or would usually buy. Put that money aside as your "do more" money and decide who you can help with it. You may not even miss what you gave up, but if you do, just remember everything God gave up for you.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”Acts 20:32-35
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