Comments on: Consumption, the Bible, and a Hard Day’s Work http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/?&owa_medium=feed&owa_sid= Save Money @ BeingFrugal.Net Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:52:59 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Carrie at Natural Moms Talk Radio http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4859 Carrie at Natural Moms Talk Radio Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:12:56 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4859 Wow, great post! I think one of the reasons we are so overworked and tired is because the *nature* of our work has changed. Getting out and working in the fields all day is physically but not emotionally exhausting. Hard work is cleansing. I've heard about a program that (somewhere, can't remember!) puts mentally ill prisoners in the garden and they're noticing improvement in their condition, which makes total sense to me. But today we have emotional exhaustion due to fighting traffic, dealing with idiots at work, schlepping the kids around to multiple events, etc. I've fought against that dynamic in my own life. I'm a work at home homeschooling mom who tries NOT to get out much. LOL! I think this change in the nature of work is what makes people want to go out and spend on gadgets. But hey - don't knock the automatic vacuum, I'm saving for one. LOL! Wow, great post!

I think one of the reasons we are so overworked and tired is because the *nature* of our work has changed. Getting out and working in the fields all day is physically but not emotionally exhausting. Hard work is cleansing. I’ve heard about a program that (somewhere, can’t remember!) puts mentally ill prisoners in the garden and they’re noticing improvement in their condition, which makes total sense to me.

But today we have emotional exhaustion due to fighting traffic, dealing with idiots at work, schlepping the kids around to multiple events, etc.

I’ve fought against that dynamic in my own life. I’m a work at home homeschooling mom who tries NOT to get out much. LOL! I think this change in the nature of work is what makes people want to go out and spend on gadgets.

But hey – don’t knock the automatic vacuum, I’m saving for one. LOL!

]]> By: Peter http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4858 Peter Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:59:25 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4858 Great article, and great points. I think that God wants us to be hard working, and to be wise stewards of the earth and all we have been given.. Here's another pertinent verse: <em>No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough. Proverbs 13:4</em> Thanks for the great article - i'll be posting a link in my favorite articles roundup shortly. Great article, and great points. I think that God wants us to be hard working, and to be wise stewards of the earth and all we have been given.. Here’s another pertinent verse:

No matter how much you want, laziness won’t help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough. Proverbs 13:4

Thanks for the great article – i’ll be posting a link in my favorite articles roundup shortly.

]]> By: plonkee http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4849 plonkee Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:56:41 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4849 I think that a life of total leisure would be boring after a while. I'd probably get out of the habit of getting up. Of course compared to our forebears in the Industrial Revolution, we do live a life of leisure. Compared the pre-industrials, we can have the same work life balance, but we don't have to live hand to mouth, we can use less physical labour and have longer life expectancies. Not many people ever do live a life of leisure - most retirees in good health have a very filled life. Living in poor health isn't exactly what I'd describe as a life of leisure no matter what you actually do. I think that a life of total leisure would be boring after a while. I’d probably get out of the habit of getting up.

Of course compared to our forebears in the Industrial Revolution, we do live a life of leisure. Compared the pre-industrials, we can have the same work life balance, but we don’t have to live hand to mouth, we can use less physical labour and have longer life expectancies.

Not many people ever do live a life of leisure – most retirees in good health have a very filled life. Living in poor health isn’t exactly what I’d describe as a life of leisure no matter what you actually do.

]]> By: Kathy@brazoscowgirl http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4844 Kathy@brazoscowgirl Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:10:04 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4844 I think it is amazing how we as a society think nothing of spending so much on the things that are trivial. I think it is amazing how we as a society think nothing of spending so much on the things that are trivial.

]]> By: Weekly Roundup You Can Market Anything These Days Edition | The Wisdom Journal http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4843 Weekly Roundup You Can Market Anything These Days Edition | The Wisdom Journal Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:03:39 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4843 [...] at beingfrugal.net questions why are we so wrapped up in a life of leisure? This is a very appropriate question and one that requires a lot of examination of our own attitudes [...]

[...] at beingfrugal.net questions why are we so wrapped up in a life of leisure? This is a very appropriate question and one that requires a lot of examination of our own attitudes [...]

]]> By: MoneyBlogga http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4841 MoneyBlogga Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:28:29 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4841 I, too, am certain that I'll never completely retire. I will always be working at something, probably freelancing, but whatever it is it'll be something that will be rejuvenating to my spirit. I don't think I would do well if I were idle. Not that I've done so well up to now but at least I've always worked. As for consumption, it is very very true that we are a wasteful society. Evidence of that is everywhere. Especially in my garage. I have wasted thousands of dollars on stuff I don't need. I, too, am certain that I’ll never completely retire. I will always be working at something, probably freelancing, but whatever it is it’ll be something that will be rejuvenating to my spirit. I don’t think I would do well if I were idle. Not that I’ve done so well up to now but at least I’ve always worked. As for consumption, it is very very true that we are a wasteful society. Evidence of that is everywhere. Especially in my garage. I have wasted thousands of dollars on stuff I don’t need.

]]> By: Susan http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4839 Susan Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:35:23 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4839 This is a great post, Lynnae! No, God doesn't want us to waste our resources, talents, or blessings. We are given this earth, our bodies, our talents to use for God's glory, not to waste or use selfishly. I think that's the main point, to use what we have (whether a lot or very little) and what we are for God's glory. I believe consumerism becomes a problem when we waste those talents and resources and use them selfishly. How to fix the problem? I think that's on an individual basis. The individual has to make the decision to change and use his or her resources wisely, to be those good and faithful servants who have done well. :) This is a great post, Lynnae!

No, God doesn’t want us to waste our resources, talents, or blessings. We are given this earth, our bodies, our talents to use for God’s glory, not to waste or use selfishly.

I think that’s the main point, to use what we have (whether a lot or very little) and what we are for God’s glory. I believe consumerism becomes a problem when we waste those talents and resources and use them selfishly.

How to fix the problem? I think that’s on an individual basis. The individual has to make the decision to change and use his or her resources wisely, to be those good and faithful servants who have done well. :)

]]> By: Lynnae http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4836 Lynnae Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:29:35 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4836 @Christa - I don't have a problem with retiring early, but like you, I believe that we need to continue to contribute to society. I'd love to spend my time volunteering. "So, in the end, each person needs to make their own decision but why hold talents from the world if you retire early?" Very well put. @Christa – I don’t have a problem with retiring early, but like you, I believe that we need to continue to contribute to society. I’d love to spend my time volunteering.

“So, in the end, each person needs to make their own decision but why hold talents from the world if you retire early?”

Very well put.

]]> By: Christa (Frugal Mom LA) http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4833 Christa (Frugal Mom LA) Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:12:34 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4833 I think there needs to be a balance, too. If you're able to retire by 40, that's probably because you have a skill at saving or earning money, a talent that afforded you wealth, or some other asset such as an inheritance. In all those cases, I'd think that the average American wouldn't be so selfish as to do nothing but pursue leisure and recreation all day. In fact, because of their resources, you'd hope they'd want to involve themselves in charity or volunteer--at a minimum. My husband and I co-own an IT consulting business. Yes, it has its challenges--boy does it! But, we both agree that we enjoy working for ourselves and when we reach "retirement" age, we're not sure we'd want to retire. We enjoy working. We're providing jobs, contributing to the local community, and sustaining the economy. We both volunteer and contribute where we can now. So, in the end, each person needs to make their own decision but why hold talents from the world if you retire early? I think there needs to be a balance, too. If you’re able to retire by 40, that’s probably because you have a skill at saving or earning money, a talent that afforded you wealth, or some other asset such as an inheritance. In all those cases, I’d think that the average American wouldn’t be so selfish as to do nothing but pursue leisure and recreation all day. In fact, because of their resources, you’d hope they’d want to involve themselves in charity or volunteer–at a minimum. My husband and I co-own an IT consulting business. Yes, it has its challenges–boy does it! But, we both agree that we enjoy working for ourselves and when we reach “retirement” age, we’re not sure we’d want to retire. We enjoy working. We’re providing jobs, contributing to the local community, and sustaining the economy. We both volunteer and contribute where we can now. So, in the end, each person needs to make their own decision but why hold talents from the world if you retire early?

]]> By: CHB http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4832 CHB Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:09:21 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/2008/03/02/consumption-the-bible-and-a-hard-days-work/#comment-4832 This is a wonderful post and I wholeheartedly agree! In college I spent a week volunteering with Habitat for Humanity with a group of people who call themselves "Care-a-vanners". They mostly consisted of people who sold off their homes and belongings, live out of their RVs, and travel the country to do volunteer projects. I think this sounds like an awesome way to spend "retirement". In terms of lowering consumption, I have a relatively pessimistic view. I really think the only way this will happen is a very huge, probably catastrophic event. Humans never really seem to care about something until it directly affects themselves, so until that happens, we're going to keep living this lifestyle we've come to see as normal. This is a wonderful post and I wholeheartedly agree! In college I spent a week volunteering with Habitat for Humanity with a group of people who call themselves “Care-a-vanners”. They mostly consisted of people who sold off their homes and belongings, live out of their RVs, and travel the country to do volunteer projects. I think this sounds like an awesome way to spend “retirement”.

In terms of lowering consumption, I have a relatively pessimistic view. I really think the only way this will happen is a very huge, probably catastrophic event. Humans never really seem to care about something until it directly affects themselves, so until that happens, we’re going to keep living this lifestyle we’ve come to see as normal.

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