Do you want freedom? Stop spending money.
Think about it. What are you doing today? Is it something worth doing?
Chances are, you’re working at a job, not because it’s meaningful, but because it pays well. You might be working in an office cubicle, attending a business meeting, or sitting in a classroom. Whatever it is, it’s not important–you’re doing it just to earn more money. And if you don’t take control of the situation today, you might be sitting in that same place thirty years from now.
Imagine what would happen if all your living expenses dropped to $0. You wouldn’t need to earn money anymore because you have no expenses. Would you still keep your job? What would you do with the extra time?
I used to measure a person’s success based on his salary. I worked hard at school so I could have a high paying job. Then I’d turn around and squander my money on stuff that doesn’t matter.
Deep down, I didn’t really care about stuff. But sure enough, my money was being siphoned away and spent on laptops, cars, restaurants, and housing.
I didn’t think of myself as being wasteful: it hurt my ego too much. I had friends who spent far more than I did, so I found many ways to justify myself.
It only got worse when I bought practical items. Last year, I bought a new computer under the pretense that it would make me more productive. I was the runner who blamed his shoes. I told myself that I needed the best equipment possible to get work done. The truth, though, was that I usually needed far less than what I wanted.
True wealth isn’t about the possessions you own, and happiness isn’t about having a mansion with a white picket fence. Most of us understand this intuitively, but with the way we spend our money, it’s hard to tell. We dedicate our working hours to earning money, and we dedicate our leisure hours to spending it. Whether we care to admit it or not, we’ve created a culture that glamorizes and glorifies shopping.
Money is a form of time. When we waste money, we’re really wasting time. But time is precious: there are only so many hours for us to waste. Once it’s gone, you can never get it back. Time is too precious to waste on meaningless consumption.
If we seek out Christ with our time and money, it will last for an eternity. For those of us who are Christians, let’s use our new-found freedom for ministry, for reaching out to the lost, for loving our neighbor, rather than for monetary possessions. Life is short; don’t waste it.
Imagine if we could regain our freedom to focus on what’s important and meaningful in life. What an impact it could make.
Hi! you guys I have been trying for the last couple of years to buy when I need something or when things wear out. What happen to the time when people bought shoes and clothes when they wore out? We live in a world where people homes are like tours and closets are like display windows down town in a store!You miss out on so much when you don’t live simple.I have so many friends who are unhappy on their jobs ,but because they have lived over their means they have to stay it’s nothing they can do about it how sad.They often tell me I wish I could do this or that you can if you stop consuming everything that is put in your nose! That’s why they do it so you can run out and buy no matter what the consequences are.
Hi Tiffany,
You might really enjoy this tiny house. It’s from the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.
I used to be not a nice person. I measured my worth based on my salary. 6 figures? I worked harder, was smarter and better than someone who made 5 figures. My own self worth was tied up with my salary and what I could purchase. When I lost my job, I lost my identity and self-worth. I was now a nobody, a loser. It’s taken much hard work to undo all the wrong thinking. Money is just money. Having a lot or a little doesn’t define who I am. It’s what I do with my time that shows my true character not what I own.
Hi Kat,
Exactly!
After I became a Greenimalist, I started noticing that some of my friends were still looking at people through these hollow lenses. I could feel them treating me differently because I didn’t dream about owning a large house with a garage and two cars.
But I try to be patient. Eventually, some may understand.
My judgment may be wrong, but by reading your posts I get the feeling you would really enjoy this book:
Don’t waste your life (by John Piper)
I think it’s also available in E-format, if you rather not have it add to clutter (and for environmental reasons!)
Greetings from the Netherlands :)
Hahaha oh gosh.. look at that.. I didn’t click that last link you shared. I’m sure you’ve already read the book. (duh!) But hey, what can I say.. great minds think alike ;)
Feel free to delete the comment.. *lol*
Greetings from the Netherlands!
Hey Jurino,
I really enjoyed John Piper’s old videos. Don’t Waste Your Retirement is another great clip. I haven’t gotten the chance to check out his book yet, but I probably should read it.
Aaron- first let me comment that your writing is great!
I’ve recently come to the same realizations, that my expectations of my success were far too harsh. I am extremely “rich” and my pursuit of things I don’t need is over.