In Part 1, I have covered the first question that we should ask ourselves before buying the next thing: “How Will This Fit Into My Life Right Now?” Now let’s look at the second and third questions.
What Will This Cost Me Beyond Money?
In addition to financial costs, there are also costs to space or attention. Whether we are in University writing papers, on summer break with nothing to do, or working a 9 to 5 for most of the week, we only have a certain amount of time, attention, and focus to devote to these and other things in our life. In the hurry of our lives, we end up budgeting and allocating more than just money week in, week out. We must allocate our time, energy, and focus to the world around us as well.
In the hurry of our lives, we end up budgeting and allocating more than just money week in, week out. We must allocate our time, energy, and focus to the world around us as well.
I recently joined some friends to do some indoor wall climbing/bouldering. I enjoyed it so much I had thought about investing in some bouldering shoes, saving cost on rentals after about 6-8 trips. However, I had to catch myself. I was also starting a new job, I had just joined a new gym, I was finishing up a web project, I was trying to build an NGO from scratch, I was trying to continue pouring out the same amount of presence and energy in my community, I wanted to still play the occasional videogame to de-stress, and I wanted to have time for family who I have been seeing less of.
Buying the shoes does save money from rentals, but that assumes I will use it the 6-8 times to make up the cost. To use it those 6-8 times, I have to budget and allocate time, energy, focus away from the growing list of commitments already on my plate. These choices regarding consumption are not necessarily self-denial but rather an honest audit of what I can afford to give beyond money. What we deny isn’t always a permanent denial either but can look like a delaying for the right time.
These choices regarding consumption are not necessarily self-denial but rather an honest audit of what I can afford to give beyond money.
What Will This Lead Me To?
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6.24)
There is no neutral choice – all our actions build and shape us in one way or another. Thus, when we spend our money, time, energy and focus, on the things we have or want, don’t they become a big part of who we are?
There is no neutral choice – all our actions build and shape us in one way or another. Thus, when we spend our money, time, energy and focus, on the things we have or want, don’t they become a big part of who we are?
This isn’t a big bash on consumerism nor a call to radical change but an invitation to open and honest assessment of our individual positions. A good question to ask? Where is this decision going to take me in relation to my own faith? Will this be something that subtracts from my time and space with Christ? Will it build a lifestyle that is set against what Christ laid out? And where are my ultimate priorities for the resources of time, energy, and focus set on?
Where is this decision going to take me in relation to my own faith? Will this be something that subtracts from my time and space with Christ? Will it build a lifestyle that is set against what Christ laid out?
A Safe Investment
Ultimately, we can take Paul’s words for the Corinthian Church in 1 Corinthians 10.23:
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”
What would be things in our lives that would ultimately be loving, building up of the kingdom, and leading us to communion with God? Investing in these things will always be a safe bet.