I think at least a couple of you have wondered how my August joyful austerity experiment went (see my June 6 and August 4 posts). For those who don't know I went a month trying to live at a standard of living as close to need only as I could get. This involved bare necessity regarding food, lukewarm showers that lasted only as long as it took me to suds and rinse, no rental of videos or the like, no Ritas or similar fare, and a basic commitment to spend nothing on what I had no very, very, very good reason to buy. These additions to an already pretty simple way of life got me closer in mindset to need only than I'd ever been before.
It's hard to report on such a thing because everyone will define need a little differently based on family circumstances, work demands, and more. But I have to say that the experiment was a success from the following standpoints:
1. I lost about 12 pounds!
2. I saved about $30+ on food.
3. I saved another $5-10 dollars on hot and cold water.
4. I learned a fresh sense of how good things taste when eaten with gratitude for their simple food value without all the extras (butter, condiments, half-and-half, etc.) that add only needless calories and cost.
5. I had some extra to give.
6. I learned that our society makes bare necessity hard to define. Does it include insurance (life or health), an occasional dinner out (given how hard it is in the press of busyness to find quiet, undistracted time with one's spouse), entertainment (given how many demands are put on our minds and time, and the stress of everyday work and ministry), sports (for simialr reasons), etc.?
7. I enjoyed the basic lifestyle that I adopted for the month, and see no reason to leave all of it behind as I go into the future. It was healthy, focused, self-controlled, deliberate (rather than impulsive)in nearly every decision , and helpful in making me see what I really needed rather than merely craved.
8. I had to think about this question: why wouldn't I pursue such way of life as my regular way of life, given its benefits; at least why would I assume that I had any right to any other way of life than this?
Please know that I did not do this as any kind of special spiritual exercise; I'm neither an ascetic or especially self-denying. I mostly wanted to see how close I could come to a need only way of life, in the process wondering if maybe this was closer to what God wanted for some of us than the other way to which we are accostumed.
A few thoughts for your reflection. Feel free to ask any questions over this next couple of days.
dad, this is great stuff. i'd forgotten that you were doing this and i love seeing the results/take-aways.
ReplyDeletethough he was way off in his philosophy/theology, a bit of a nut, and wrote a book that was (in my opinion) jaw-droppingly dull, i couldn't help but think of Thoreau: "I went to the woods to live deliberately..."
despite battling it daily, i fall into the false sense of need every day. things are just so convenient that it's hard to keep a realistic perspective on the cost vs benefit ratio.
this post was a helpful reminder in that regard.
thanks.
tw
Yes Tim, it was a helpful reminder.
ReplyDeleteAs to the question of insurance... I would sooner give up insurance than cream in my coffee! Actually, I have given up my home insurance.
I used to dread that bill every year, not so much because of the expense as much as the moral dilemma it was sure to throw me into. I came under conviction each year, feeling as though I had compromised... again, pouring perfectly good money down the tubes.
If someone can explain home insurance in terms that don't make is seem like straight up gambling, I might re-consider.
It's like slapping down $700 each year with the insurance company sitting across the poker table. I say to them, "look, if I lose, (and my house doesn't burn down!) you take the $700. But if I win (and my home burns down) you pay me $350,000!
God gave me the house, and he can protect it! And if he takes it from us, well then it is not without plan or divine purpose.
I surely don't mean to offend, and I know I've taken some license by heading afield from the spirit of your post-- forgive me brother, and friend. I don't expect others to see it this way, and I surely do not fault anyone for doing what they feel, before God is prudent.
It's just the way I see it, and my good wife is content to trust the Lord with me. As JR would put it-- these are my thoughts...
You know gentlemen, some of these posts might scare one away from Trinity...BUT NOT ME!
ReplyDeletePraise God for you Tim, that you are one who wants to be soberminded in the things of God. Our flesh(my flesh) is always ready for a little more of heaven on earth. I enjoy food far too much, worry about material needs, and wants, far too much, am saddened if there is no butter for my bread, or if I run out of coffee. I remember when my wife and I had no hot water for three months when we were first married. We heated water on the stove for each other to bathe.
We both greatly appreciate turning a knob and getting hot water today! Lukewarm is great too!
I truly look forward to growing with you all in the true joy of the Lord, which is far better than butter, grander than gravy, and finer than food.
Dad, it was good to see you accomplish this. You kept to it faithfully, and benefited the rewards.
ReplyDeleteMr. Cardillo I remember listening in on the conversation about insurance this past Sunday. I know God does have full control over possessions and whatever happens to them, is what He wills. However, would you say it's WRONG to get insurance? Or just something you don't feel a necessity in your personal life? Either way, I guess nothing really is a necessity since God has us under his supervision.
Tim, again thanks for your leadership by example. A.N. Martin used to tell us, "the good books, keep you from the excellent books". As in christian literature, so in christian life, "the good things, can keep us from the best things". As our Lord told Martha, "one thing is needful".
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts....
JR