Tuesday, December 8, 2020 From Advent Conspiracy blog
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Spend Less
Spend less is an ambiguous goal. Spend less than last year? Spend less than my neighbor? The truth is there is no formula. The challenge of this tenet is to be willing to ask more questions and then be open to hearing what God says in return.
Is this something I want or something I need?
Why do I want to buy this?
What kind of company am I supporting if I purchase this product?
Can I afford to spend this amount?
How many presents do we actually need?
What did we do with the presents from last year?
You see, spending less does not mean spending nothing, but requires us to plan. Instead of mindlessly shopping online and ordering more than we know what to do with, we take the time to think about each purchase. We strive to thoughtfully evaluate what we support with our spending, and we allow our spending to support products, people, and causes worthy of being supported. By spending a little less on ourselves we are able to more joyfully give to others in need.
It is not enough to say no to the way Christmas is celebrated by many; we need to say yes to a different way of celebrating.
It’s important to remember that when we choose to spend less on Christmas presents, it doesn’t mean that we love our friends and family any less. In fact, for many of us, we’ve found that the creative, intentional gifts we give showcase our love – and perhaps God’s – more clearly than ever before.
More than just an invitation to say no to overspending, this is an invitation to a new way of celebrating. This year start a new tradition of spending compassionately and responsibly.
Some ideas to help you Spend Less this Christmas:
- Make a Christmas budget and then stick to it. Don’t compare yourself to others, pray and do what is best for your family.
- Research companies that are Fair Trade - a global system that connects farmers and workers from developing countries with consumers and businesses across the world to change trade for the better.
- Pray for the people on your Christmas list before purchasing anything. Make spending a conscious decision that engages your heart.
- It’s not just about the presents. Notice how much you’re spending on other Christmas activities (going out to eat, new outfits, wrapping paper, decorations, etc.). Find one area where you can cut back this year.
- Write down five things you’re thankful for. Take inventory of how blessed you already are.
- Set a spending limit as a family. Let everyone have the same amount to spend on each other. You’ll be surprised at how creative your kids will get!
- Donate old and unused clothes, toys, and books to a local organization. Notice how much stuff you actually don’t use or need.
REFLECTION: Slow down. Before
you start buying and ordering gifts online, think about each person on your Christmas list. Think about your relationship and what significance it brings to your life. Are you thoughtfully spending or are you mindlessly rushing through the process?
Sometimes in the bustle of the season we just buy what we see when we walk into the store. We make lots of impulse buys trying to make sure everyone has “enough” gifts. Scaling back is always hard and especially hard at Christmas when our kids are accustomed to us spending lots of money on them every year. Don’t set a precedent that will be stressful to live up to year after year. Be intentional this year about what you give. Remember that giving yourself - spending time together and sharing special experiences really do mean so much more and make the best memories.
