This post may seem a bit out of place on my blog, but thought it might be worth passing along anyway.
My husband and I are small business owners within a network marketing company. A dear friend of mine has a similar business, also in network marketing. She loves Jesus too, so discussing business and trading tips (well, actually, she passes more along to me than I can to her) always ends up being a spirit stirring event. Even though we represent competitive companies, our hearts are united as sisters in Christ. I know that her goal in business are to become independently wealthy so that her and her husband can fulfill a dream of owning and operating a rejuvenation center where weary members of the Body can come and be refreshed and healed in the presence of Jesus at this B&B of sorts. The business goals of my husband and I are similar in that the end result is to see the body of Christ built up and the kingdom of God advanced through financial freedom, among other things. As a result, I buy things from her that our company doesn't make and she reciprocates!
This friend and I had a conversation a couple of years ago that lit something in me. She was sharing with me how, when she is shopping for gifts or even just daily needs, she always tries first to invest her money in people or places where she knows her money is going towards things on the heart of the Father. Obviously this isn't always possible or even easy. I have yet to find a friend in the business of selling tampons! But there are many people and organizations out there, following the call of Jesus in the marketplace to take money from the world and put it back where it belongs, in the kingdom.
I like to call this "redirected spending". You're going to buy a wedding gift anyway. Why not buy it from your friend who is selling Pampered Chef to help support her calling as a foster parent? In all honesty, I have found that my money doesn't always get as much product as it would at Wal-Mart or Target, but it has potential to get a whole lot more fruit. And sometimes I do find a good deal. Even Ten Thousand Villages, whether they know Jesus or not, is doing something that is on the Father's heart - taking care of the poor!
It's all about sowing and reaping. No matter how hard you try, even if you don't know Jesus yet, you can't get away from this principal. It's like gravity - it's affecting your life whether you're aware of it or not. Oh, I better save that topic for another post...or series :-)
So this holiday season, give it a try! Don't stress over it. I'm sure Jesus likes L.L.Bean too - I know I do! But ask Him for creativity and God connections to businesses that are in the business of advancing the kingdom.
4 comments:
This is an interesting way to look at it. I certainly believe in being thoughtful about where your money is going and love to support friends when I can. Thanks for the ideas!
I agree with Trish, this is a great way to look at our finances. It really makes me stop and think about our purchases and as much as the Lord honors our frugalness like you are posting He will also honor our investing into the Kingdom.
Great Post!!!
Great ideas, love. I have to say that I also loved hearing your humor in this post. You are so darned witty!
Definitely a great way to look at it - I think that this is fine, as long as one is staying within their budget (as I know you are doing).
I think that one benefit of being frugal in the way that money is spent is that you are able to "invest" money in other areas that you would like to (like helping your friend's business). If you were not watching how you are spending money in some areas - then, it might be difficult to spend as you have described (and still having all needs met).
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