Day in and day out, thousands of people are shopping. Sometimes I shop there too, but I’m usually too stingy to shop unless I really need something.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way.
2 Corinthians 9:11a (CEB)
Some of us are stingy and some extravagant. I could argue that when I am extravagant I’m giving work to manufacturers, to drivers bringing in supplies, to store workers, to raw-material suppliers. I could also argue that when I am extravagant, I’m spending money that could be used to serve people who are sick without access to healthcare, disabled, persecuted—the list goes on.
I’d rather give than spend money on things I don’t really need. Giving seems more in line with Jesus’ teachings about God’s kingdom: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” (Matthew 25:35a, NIV). I think it also leads to a more radical, satisfying life than simply going along with the crowd. What do you think?
GIVE BACK: One person’s extravagance could be another’s stinginess. For some, coffee in a café would be extravagance. What extravagance could you forgo this week? Donate the money you save to your favorite charity to help others.
