Spend Less
Spend less is an ambiguous goal. Spend less than what / who? The truth is there is no formula. The challenge of this tenet is to be willing to ask more questions, take time and then be open to hearing what God says in return. It requires us to plan
We can strive to thoughtfully evaluate what we support with our spending, and we allow our spending to support products, people, and causes worthy of being supported. Spending less on creative, intentional gifts can really show our love for others, and God’s love for all. More than just an invitation to say no to overspending, this is an invitation to a new way of celebrating
From our Ministry Team
- Last week we conspired to worship fully, to keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus
- This week we want to spend less on ourselves and use the money we save to help others
- This is not a new idea. Choosing to go without something, such as food, has always been a spiritual practice of the church. It is called fasting
- We often associate fasting more with Lent, the season before Easter, but it is just as relevant now in Advent
Activity: Tonight, when you eat dinner, try to calculate how much the meal costs
Bible Readings
Ps. 21
Gen. 15:1–18
Matt. 12:33–37
Prayer
Open our hearts and guard our words this Advent season
May our words and actions be free and generous gifts that reveal God’s love and care for every person
Reflection
Matthew harshly rebukes the Pharisees for their unbelief and blasphemy in attributing a miracle of Jesus to Satan. He explains how actions demonstrate a person’s inner heart, how our speech and actions can reflect our beliefs, habits, learned behaviour, whatever we have allowed these to become. The passage invites us to focus on kind, God-like thoughts ‘within’ that leads to godly, kind, Christ-like speech, and actions ‘without’. May we accept this challenge as individuals and as MUC in our Advent giving and interactions
Some activities to help us Worship Fully (from the website)
- Make a Christmas budget and then stick to it. Don’t compare yourself to others, pray and do what is best for your family
- Research companies that are Fair Trade
- Pray for the people on your Christmas list before purchasing anything. Make spending a conscious decision that engages your heart
- It’s not just about the presents. Notice how much you’re spending on other Christmas activities (going out to eat, new outfits, wrapping paper, decorations, etc.). Find one area where you can cut back this year
- Write down five things you’re thankful for. Take inventory of how blessed you already are
- Set a spending limit as a family. Let everyone have the same amount to spend on each other. You’ll be surprised at how creative your kids will get!
- Donate old and unused clothes, toys, and books to a local organization. Notice how much stuff you actually don’t use or need
…And wisdom from the Tear Fund, on Facebook 26.11.22
Make Time, not food
Bring Joy, not a plate
Be Present, not buy a present
Wrap someone in a hug, not wrap gifts
Give a useful gift, not more stuff
Be Light, rather than seeing the lights