Guest post by cool dadI'm frugal - probably too much for my own good. I often hold out on getting things that I need because I'm waiting to get a good deal on them. And I do things the hard way to save a little money.
Yesterday morning, I had a 7:30 am flight out of New York City. I was ready to go by 5:00 am, so I had two options to get to the airport:
1. Take a cab
Travel time: 30 min
Cost: $30 (including tip and tolls)
2. Public transit (subway and buses)
Travel time: 1 hour
Cost: free (with my 30-day unlimited transit card)
The cab would have been the faster, safer, and easier way to go. But I couldn't get the the free option of subway and buses out of my head, so I went that route.
The decision was very inconvenient.
Waiting in the pre-dawn dark in 20-degree weather. Multiple transfers between subways and buses. Lugging my suitcase up and down stairs. But I made it to the airport in time without spending one cent!
I was proud of myself, but I thought about all of the inconvenience that I endured to save some money. I wondered:
Is my frugality a sign of faithlessness?In other words, does my desire to not spend money show that I don't trust God to provide more? I'm OK with my habit of looking for a good deal; not paying full price when there's a good chance to find a sale with some patience. However, it's the ridiculous lengths that I go to that are behind this question.
Our last apartment was 11 blocks from the one that we're in now. When we moved, I didn't want to spend $8-10 on a taxi, so I instead loaded our big rolling suitcase and walked stuff down to the new place.
Four times. It was a 15-minute walk one way, so 30 minutes round trip. That adds up to two hours of my life dragging ugly, green luggage with a malfunctioning handle (I got it for $2 at a thrift shop) up and down the Upper East Side. Being frugal requires giving up some dignity. Looking back, I should've spent the $10.
I'm not a hardcore penny-pincher. We cook actual meals, not just Ramen. We eat out at (cheap) restaurants. We have nice computers, guitars, etc. There are just those moments, and they're not all taxi-related, where I'd rather put in extreme time and work than make my life simpler.
Like so many other issues in my life, it comes down to pride.
I can make a good living for myself.
I can do all of the work.
I control where
my money goes and when.
God's blessings have been so rich and often times miraculous. And they are frequent. I wonder if I stress over money because I worry that those blessings will dry up. He promised that hard times will come, but He also said that He will never abandon us. And He will never give us more than we can bear. And He will provide for our every need, just like he does for the lilies and the sparrows.
With promises like that, I feel much better handing my needs to God and my cash to the cabbie.
How are you in trusting God to provide for your needs?
Comments (59)
Not at all! You are being a good steward of what God has given you, especially in these tough economic times {besides, you probably got a good workout hauling luggage up steps and such... heehee}. If your focus is on money and making sure you have enough of it and it's becoming an idol in your life, then it's a problem. As it is, though, it sounds like you're just working hard to save money. Don't let it ever become the center of your life and you'll be fine!
I don't think being frugal has anything to do with faithlessness. I'm not "mega-christian" or anything, but I don't see why saving money (especially in this economy...) could be considered a bad thing.
I mean, maybe you actually ARE carrying out God's divine will by not spending like a maniac.
Maybe he WANTS you to live a frugal lifestyle.
Being frugal goes hand-in-hand with being a good Christian.
If you haven't gone through Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey, I would highly recommend it. Being frugal is NOT the same as not trusting God. Being careless and flippant with what you have is irresponsible and can be, well, selfish. I think that from the way it sounds, you're being smart. Don't beat yourself up for being careful with what you have. Proverbs 21:5 says "the plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." Money is amoral and building wealth is not evil or wrong. It's all about your attitude with money.
wwj say sell all that you hav & take the muny to wells fargo i think not
I don't think frugality is a sign of distrust in God at all! I'm pretty frugal as well, and I do the same thing, like waiting for a good deal on things and going somewhat out of my way to save money. It's not that I'm worried that God won't provide more, it's that I want to handle what he HAS given me carefully! I think being frugal means that you don't take money and the like for granted.
I agree with peanutgirl! I see being frugal as being a good steward. But then, is that your intention as you try to save money? If you feel that it's the distrust that's driving you to save money, then perhaps you need to let go a little and trust Him. Frugality is something to be admired though =) but with the right intention.
I agree with the comment above, that I'm being responsible with the finances God provides. I am an extreme bargain-shopper, and yes, there are times when I should have spent the extra cash instead of being overly tight about it. But I trust God completely with everything, especially money. I simply don't see the logic in spending howevermuch on something if I know I can get it for less!
i concur w/ everyone above me. i'm quite cheap myself. but if your heart aims to love people, like when your friend needs some money for a cab ride or whatever, and you don't want to, then yeah that could be something. but if you live simply and you're happy, and you tithe however much you're convicted to, then aint nothing wrong w/ being a lil frugal.Â
=)
Sorry but you get more money from getting a JOB.
God isn't gonna do everything for you >_>
i think the better question is... how is living beyond your means an appropriate way of expressing your faith that God will provide?
On the flip side, can having too much faith lead to bankruptcy?
God isn't an ATM, he's the tax collector.
I COMPLETELY understand because I would have probably done the exact same thing.
I tend to err on the side of frugality myself. It's like I can't help myself, but everything adds up in my mind and I can't get the risings costs out.
I endured a summer study abroad program through my university and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. The positive side was that it taught me some important lessons about when to spend and when not to spend. I honestly got all the way to the point where I was nearly starving and still had the hardest time buying food for myself because I couldn't justify the purchase.
Don't make yourself miserable to save a buck if you don't have to. Indulge when appropriate, but not all the time. And try to remember that money has no heavenly value; you're not going to take it with you, so what's the point of stockpiling it up for no reason?
@IamKelleyK@xanga - I just started FPU last week. It looks like it is going to be a fantastic class. Have you already taken it?
You worry too much. Sheesh.
of course not, it's actually being wise
I don't think being frugal has anything to do with faith...
It is a naive question on the level of asking if looking both ways before crossing the road is not trusting God to see you across safety.
Being frugal is not, NOT trusting God. period. I agree with the above points already made.
Nope. Being Frugal is called being a good steward. By saving money on the little things, you can spend it on things that matter for eternity... like helping to feed people, give to missions ect.
My first reaction, when I read the title, was the same as many of the other commenters. When I finished reading through the post, though, my reaction was different. You're not advocating extravagance, or spending above your means, or even bad stewardship. You're advocating less money-stress.
You're advocating, in essence,
"...And do not worry about what you will eat, where you will sleep, what you will wear. For the Gentiles chase after all of these things."
I think trusting God is the key, whether you're being frugal (and trusting him to help you do without) or spending on a non-extravagant investment (and trusting him to provide). There are times when I believe God has called me to save my money and go without luxuries. And there are times when I believe God has called me to spend my money for a purpose.
I think the guidance has to go with the trust, like a package deal. If I hear his whisper I have to trust in what he tells me, even when it seems he's leading me over a cliff. I guess that's part of the whole "lean not on your own understanding" thing.
I like what ChrisRusso said. Also, God has told me, since I started working full-time 1.4 years ago, to save up my money. There are times when I will spend because I have to, but if I don't have to, I definitely won't. I am saving up my money for future purposes.
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Proverbs 6:6-8
We are advised to work hard and be frugal. To store up what we have. We are also advised to help those in need. Frugality is not a lack of faith. However, hoarding your money is. Being frugal is wonderful because you will have money left over to bless others with. Wether it's a gift to someone or paying for an overseas mission trip, never forget to give back what God has blessed you with. Remember the parable of the servants and the talents... Matthew 25:14-30.
I understand what you are saying, because I have come to learn that when things cost more God is that much more faithful, or when I seemingly 'mess up' and spend too much the Lord still provides for my needs because He knew that would happen and that my heart is in the right place.
I think if you see what you are doing as not trusting the Lord than perhaps that is something you need to deal with. But the instances you gave in frugality are extremely logical to me and honestly if you had done the alternative I would question it when you could have done it for free just for working a bit more. There is more reward in working for what you get anyway (in the case of the moving)...and nothing truly good comes without effort. One doesn't need to spend unnecessarily (i.e. on what is more comfortable or easy for them) because they 'trust God' to take care of them.