The New and Living Way.
Frugality
Today’s F-word is Frugality.
Webster defines frugality as, “the quality of being economical with money; thriftiness.” None of us want to hear that. “Need versus Want” is a common battle today. This is of course not something new. King Solomon, the wisest and richest man that ever lived told his own son thousands of years ago, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Proverbs 25:28 NIV) He meant they had no protection for dangers that were to come. Even before then God instructed us all, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; … or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17 ESV)
The prophet Isaiah said, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (Isaiah 55:2) Pastor Jack Wellman puts it like this,
“We spend money on things that the Bible says will all burn up someday, so why spend money on things that don’t satisfy and work or labor on things that are temporary? If we diligently listen to God, we can “eat what is good, and delight [ourselves] in rich food,” like the Bread of Life, where Jesus said, “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
I am as guilty as anyone else. I needed a vehicle to get me to work. Did that mean I need a $70,000 truck that could haul 18,000 pounds? I mean I’m somewhat overweight, but come on.
Our excessive lifestyles do more than harm our bank account or make us slaves to lenders and jobs we do not enjoy, there is a greater impact. They hinder our generosity. The wisest pastor I ever knew, Brother Donald Johnson always said, “It is better to give than to receive because if you can give it, that means you got it!” Wisdom like that is rare these days. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9) How are the givers blessed? If you don’t understand that then I dare say you are not a giver.
If we feed our lusts, how can we feed the poor?
If we cover our bodies in extravagant designer clothes, how can we clothe the naked?
If we spend our time (even more precious than our money) on pursuits that have no value, how can we have time to visit the sick, the imprisoned, the widows and the orphans?
These things were not just suggestions given by Christ, they were commands.
How can we love this world and the things it offers and still say we love God and His children in need?
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children….” Proverbs 13:22a Don’t think that verse means to go to the extreme with your frugality and become a miser or a hoarder. The best inheritance to give your children and grandchildren is the example of a life of self-control, restraint and moderation. Let them see what those accumulated fruits can do to improve the lives of the less fortunate by becoming givers themselves. “Train up a child in the way they should go, even when old they will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I was young and foolish, today I turned old and wise. Today I learned that a Honda Civic can move an average sized man from point A to point B for 1/3 the purchase price and burn 1/2 as much gas, who knew?
Now I am free to be a blessing to others and not a slave to self.
Frugality equals Freedom.
Billy