On my list would be living in such a way that these things become second nature to my children –
We have been forced by sheer necessity to “make do” with what we have because my husband has been laid off for almost a month collectively – and I have been scratching my head wondering why we don’t do that more. I think the answer I’ve come up with is that we don’t have the “time”. It takes a lot of time and energy to be resourceful.
My best friend has committed 2008 to exactly this. I’m going to send her this link.

On this one, I mostly agree with you. Embracing community, stewardship of resources, proximity to those in need, and simply doing with less is something I think all Christians can get behind.

I think your first one is the sticky one. Isn’t that inherently subjective? I mean, what’s “crap” to me is like gold to someone else. Someone’s view of good vs. bad art, of any type, is completely cultural and based on their own experience.

But this is true even with consumable items. Even with food – some people are extremely picky about food. They only want the highest quality. But doesn’t that go against consuming less (or at least more simply)? And often, the better quality stuff simply costs more. Doesn’t that go against using resources wisely?

I could buy a cheap dresser for one of my kids for $80, or I could buy an heirloom quality piece that will last for generations for $500. Would you suggest we go for the former or the latter?

I think the list is pretty good. I would add, in thinking about long term objectives, planting churches instead of building more buildings. It’s cheaper to buy a small piece of land and build a normal sized building than to buy land, build a huge building, renovate the “old sanctuary” into some type of “activities building” that hardly gets used. It’s more effective at reaching another group of people, and smaller churches are naturally more effective at building real community than larger churches are, or even a church with multiple services (though I think multiple services is a better idea than building bigger buildings, it just needs to be realized that it is really two or three churches, and not one).

Anyway, I think I’ve barked up that tree well enough. Overall, I think the list is good, and #3 might be one of the best.

-Alan

thanks for sharing jewl. and that’s a great point!

derek.
i understand the subjectivity of it. but for me, i’d go with the good art as opposed to the bad. i guess i should have given a proper disclaimer. it’s less about the act of consuming. because we all need to consume to live. it’s more with the prevailing attitude that makes up our hyper-consumption where we mow through stuff at a rapid pace so that we can get the next year’s model or the next year’s version. or get in a different color. if it’s inherently good and beautiful and valuable in and of itself, then i wouldn’t need to buy a new one every year or have one in every color.

does that make sense at all? it’s kind of hard to explain what i’m thinking about this.

basically i think the more inherently good something is, the less need there will be to replace it and start the cycle over again.

now granted there are people who still mow through “good” things and that becomes hyper-consumptive in the same way.

but while the mona lisa may cost me more to buy, it will also last for generations. as opposed to if i buy a poster of the OC. that i’ll have to replace every couple of months with something else. its much more transient in nature. so while it may cost me more and be more expensive, the root of consumption is being challenged.

i think that is where the problem of consumption is and not in the act of buying something.

thanks alan. that’s what i was thinking with #3 actually but didn’t want to say it again because it already felt like i was being negative when i was trying to be positive. that’s an excellent point though. the form itself becomes a reinforcement of the consumption.

I thought it was excellent …

Peace.

amen to that last point bro. less is more, but enough is always enough.

This scripture encapsulates my thoughts.

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [3] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [4] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his [5] kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Big fan of this post.

I’d add that just as stewardship is an attitude or at least a view of how we live, ‘consumption’ is as well. Either one gives a mental framework for how we make our decisions.

I’ve found that a consumptive attitude seeks to bring focus back onto the spender when, at it’s core, a steward’s attitude seeks to put the focus on Jesus.

I’m also thinking of many building projects and capital campaigns that churches embark on. I love alan’s reflections on the topic, and couldn’t agree more.

I really like your list (non-list)

The first one is one I definitely struggle with.