Seems like there is a new “phenomenon” hitting the blogoshpere, and life in general. Those people who have plenty, and are wasting it on trinkets, and splurges and eating out all the time, are taking a “Compacting Commitment”. This is what they are pledging to do
In light of the destructive effects of personal greed, we pledge to curb our purchases, cease frivolous buying, and choose to simplify our lives. Excepting only those things needed for work and the health and safety of our families, we pledge not to buy new. Further more, we will actively seek to pass on possessions we no longer want to those who are in need. In doing so, we hope to educate both friends and family about the corrosive effects of being in a constant state of want, nurture in ourselves the uplifting state of giving, thus reducing the load on the environment and creating a more sensible path for our lives. For these reasons, we join the Compact.
- Aaron Highe at the SF site (paraphrased)
This is not a Christian pledge, and the pledge mentions nothing of God, but frugality and good stewardship is a godly perspective.
It’s great that people are doing this. Funny too, since I have been doing this since I married. When you don’t have any money for those extras, it’s pretty easy to learn how to be frugal. Now I’m very frugal, even though we have extra money. My husband is a wise financial planner, and he makes sure that we give to God’s purposes in abundance. He is a blessing to me that is for sure.
Anyone else out there trying to cut back and stop the greedy wasteful purchasing? It really is a blessing when we are faithful with our finances. There are more verses in scripture about money than there are any other single topic pertaining to life. (Or so I’ve heard.) Money is important, and the stewarding of God’s money is important. And it is ALL His money.
Check out these verses for some helpful starting points regarding mindful spending, and just how God views “our” money.
Mat 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Mar 12:41-44 (not quoted here because of length.) The paraphrase of which is that while rich people give of their abundance, poor people who give of their lack are more blessed. It isn’t how much you give, but how much you sacrifice to do it.
Job 41:11 “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay [him? whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.” (God owns everything!)
Psa 24:1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The earth [is] the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (again the whole earth and everyone and everything thereon are God’s.)
Folks it isn’t your money! Even beyond your tithe, there is more that is God’s, ALL of it is.
This one is plain as day!
Luk 16:10-13 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true [riches]? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”
Well, think on it people. It’s beyond time to get our finances in order. To return to being good and faithful stewards of what God has so graciously given us. Whether you have a little or a lot, you ought to remember it is ALL God’s and He is entrusting you with proper managment of it. Just remember the parables of the talents, the master gave three servants different sums. Some of you may have been given alot, some very little and some a modest amount. But even the one with little was expected to multiply it, and to care for it well, as the master would have. In the future (if you are saved by Christ) we will one day be rewarded according to our deeds. Let your reward be wondeful, don’t be like the servant who hoarded the talent.
Signing off,
Mrs. Meg Logan
