Day 9: Live on the Rest
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Transcript
The gravitational pull for all of us is toward ourselves. The default is to use our time, energy, and particularly our money in a way that makes us happiest. Spending something on yourself is not all bad, but it becomes bad when we let that gravitational pull take us over—when we buy into the “Consumption Assumption.” That’s when we assume that everything we earn is for our own consumption.
Jesus illustrated the perils of this type of thinking in Luke 12, through a parable—a made-up story to illustrate a principle. This particular story involved a man who had a great harvest. He had so much grain that he tore down his barns and built bigger barns to store his wealth. His plan? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the good life. The Consumption Assumption was in full effect.
The parable ends with a sudden downturn:
““But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.””
When God asks the man, “Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”, the answer is painfully obvious—not him, which is why he’s called a fool. As the parable points out, operating with the Consumption Assumption is a fool’s endeavor.
Now, at first glance, you may not find this story relevant. You may not be nearly as wealthy as the person in the parable. But the point is not about how much the person had—it’s that the pull for all of us is toward ourselves.
That’s why Jesus contrasts storing up things for ourselves versus being rich toward God. Being rich toward God involves building his kingdom, rather than our own. It includes being a blessing to others rather than hoarding only for ourselves. This others-first thinking doesn’t come naturally. With God’s help, we have to practice it. And putting it into practice requires making a plan. It’s a plan that gives first, saves second, and lives on the rest. Give. Save. Live.
Now, like a lot of things we do, it’s more about getting into the habit as much as anything else. Once the desire to make a change is there, it’s all about getting started!
Begin by deciding what percentage of your money to give away and know in advance where to give it. Remind yourself that you are a “Give First” type of person and do that: give first. As soon as you get paid, immediately send your giving amount to the place you want to give toward.
As far as savings, do the same thing. Decide on a percentage, and transfer that money into savings right after you send the giving money. Then, after you’ve given first and saved second, live on the rest.
Give. Save. Live. It’s a practical way to prioritize generosity, and break free from the Consumption Assumption.
“Heavenly Father,
Help me resist the pull to live for myself first. Let my heart be guided by generosity, not by my appetite for more. Amen.”
