Day 4 of the quest for simplicity and a deeper commitment to giving. The fourth outward expression of simplicity is to "refuse to be propagandised by the custodians of modern gadgetry." I love this one. If you've taken the time to watch the short movie I referred you to in earlier blogs (http://www.storyofstuff.com/) you will have come accross the terms planned and perceived obsolescence.
This is a marketer's dream - basically stuff is made to break in a certain number of years (planned obsolescence) so that you will have to buy a new one. Of course, it can't be done in too short a space of time, otherwise you will undermine the consumer's loyalty to the manufacturer. You know how the washing machine always breaks a couple of weeks after its warranty has expired? That's planned obsolescence.
Then there is perceived obsolesence. This is when marketer's tell you that what you own is not good enough because the latest version has more buttons, is faster, makes ice, or generally makes your life a whole lot easier, simpler, sexier or faster. Same goes for fashion - this style of jacket is in this season, that one is in next season.
Planned and perceived obsolesence drive capital accumulation - the accumulation of more and more wealth. They also drive environmental degradation - where do you think that cell phone (not to mention all of its accessories that don't fit your new model) go to? That's right - into the rubbish dump. And are they biodegradable? Most certainly not!
So not lusting after that new phone, TV, sound system, PVR, HDTV, 3DTV, HDDVD or ABXYZ (?) is as much about our own spiritual freedom as it is about making sure that we care for our environment.
The other thing about planned and perceived obsolescence is that it drives inequality. By buying into the need to buy some new gadget or fashion accessory everytime a new one comes out, we are focusing on what we want and not on what other people in the world need.
And this brings me to the fact that today is the second tithe before easter for me - it's payday again (yippee!) and I promised to look at the social implications of tithing. As I said on day 8, tithing asks us to step out of what we need and want and to give a portion of our income to what others need.
On Day 8 I looked at the personal reasons behind tithing. Today I want to look at the social implications. In this day and age of accumulation where we are constantly feeding our own securities with new stuff tithing sharlply focuses our attention on the broader social world and what God desires for his kingdom (that's us, not what happens when we die).
You see, prosperity theology teaches that if we give we will be blessed and the more we give the more we will be blessed. I have already talked about my problems with how this has been interprested (see Day 8). But from a social perspective this makes perfect sense.
It's not about God blessing only those who give (horrible theology that as far as I am concerned undermines our understanding of God's goodness). It's about the fact that giving allows God's will to be done on earth. You see, IF we all gave what we could afford to give and IF the church used it as God intended (i.e. not on fancy cars and buildings) then we immediately free up money from our own (usually selfish) will to be used as God will. Imagine a world where every person gave something of what they earned with the intention that it should make the world a better and more equitable place. And imagine a world where the church was fully committed to that same ideal. I believe that if we got that right then we wouldn't have nearly as much inequality and poverty. We wouldn't be faced with beggars on the side of the road. We wouldn't be faced with feelings of guilt as we turn our eyes away from them. Because there would be enough money to go around to look after ALL of God's children.
Lesson 33: So you see prosperity theology does work, but in a very different way to how we've come to think it works. God doesn't bless only those who give. God blesses all of us because when we give we are providing the means to for God's will to be done.
So do you really need that new HDTV or that new pair of boots. Or do you need to see God's will be done. How you answer that question might affect how much you put in the offetory bag this week. So be careful...
40 Days 40 Gifts Day 32
Day 3 and the third outward expression of simplicity is to develop a habit of giving things away. Richard Foster says, "if you find yourself becoming attached to some posesion, consider giving it to someone who needs it or wants it."
Hmmm... This is tough. At Christmas time I always think its wonderful to ask children to give one of their favourite toys to a child who needs it more. It's an amazing lesson of giving. But asking myself to do it was a lot tougher. Day 32's lesson came up just after a conversation with a friend about a Nooma DVD that she wants to borrow. Everytime someone asks me if they can borrow it I get a bit uppity and nervous about it never finding its way back to me. I absolutely love the DVD (recommending it to everyone - Nooma Fire). So it's strange how this outward expression came up just after this conversation.
So here's the deal - Amy, I am giving you my Nooma DVD and I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me. Enjoy it!
Lesson 32: Giving away things we have become attached frees us from worry.
Hmmm... This is tough. At Christmas time I always think its wonderful to ask children to give one of their favourite toys to a child who needs it more. It's an amazing lesson of giving. But asking myself to do it was a lot tougher. Day 32's lesson came up just after a conversation with a friend about a Nooma DVD that she wants to borrow. Everytime someone asks me if they can borrow it I get a bit uppity and nervous about it never finding its way back to me. I absolutely love the DVD (recommending it to everyone - Nooma Fire). So it's strange how this outward expression came up just after this conversation.
So here's the deal - Amy, I am giving you my Nooma DVD and I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me. Enjoy it!
Lesson 32: Giving away things we have become attached frees us from worry.
40 Days 40 Gifts Day 31
Day two of the grand ten day quest to push the boundaries on simplicity and giving:
The second outward expression is to reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. This might include food items, substances that are more commonly associated with addiction such as drugs and alcohol, as well as THINGS. The reality is we are all addicted to something. I had a long think about this one. What am I addicted to?
I’m not a marketers’ dream when it comes to gadgets, nor with make up and other cosmetics. As much as I love a glass of wine, I wouldn’t say I’m addicted (if anyone disagrees please inform me). So what am I addicted to? There’s the clothes issue but I’ve been dealing with that under the first outward expression so I won’t bore you with more on that.
Isn’t it funny how God points you in the right direction when you are struggling with something? As I was doing some soul searching I was having a conversation with two colleagues. One mentioned how she had to clear out her bookshelf and give away some of her books. I was horrified! Give away books? I have a budget line item in my monthly budget for books. And I carefully select which book I will buy each month. I hate the idea of a library because it means I can’t keep the book after I’ve read it. I am incredibly attached to my books, which are neatly sorted out on my bookshelf into categories – spiritual books (sadly the smallest shelf), African literature, literature from the developing world, classics and miscellaneous.
So my addiction is... books!
So I guess my challenge is to give away some of my books. I have little problem parting with the ones that are on the miscellaneous shelves. But the other shelves? I can’t see myself being able to do this. It would break my heart. And yet that is what it means to be pushing the boundaries. So this evening I will be going through my bookshelf, doing the easy bit and placing all of the miscellaneous ones into a box and the trying to push myself to part with some of my more treasured books. I still have to think of who to give them to though. If anyone has any ideas let me know.
Lesson 31: Anything that produces an addiction in us to some extent limits our connection with God.
The second outward expression is to reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. This might include food items, substances that are more commonly associated with addiction such as drugs and alcohol, as well as THINGS. The reality is we are all addicted to something. I had a long think about this one. What am I addicted to?
I’m not a marketers’ dream when it comes to gadgets, nor with make up and other cosmetics. As much as I love a glass of wine, I wouldn’t say I’m addicted (if anyone disagrees please inform me). So what am I addicted to? There’s the clothes issue but I’ve been dealing with that under the first outward expression so I won’t bore you with more on that.
Isn’t it funny how God points you in the right direction when you are struggling with something? As I was doing some soul searching I was having a conversation with two colleagues. One mentioned how she had to clear out her bookshelf and give away some of her books. I was horrified! Give away books? I have a budget line item in my monthly budget for books. And I carefully select which book I will buy each month. I hate the idea of a library because it means I can’t keep the book after I’ve read it. I am incredibly attached to my books, which are neatly sorted out on my bookshelf into categories – spiritual books (sadly the smallest shelf), African literature, literature from the developing world, classics and miscellaneous.
So my addiction is... books!
So I guess my challenge is to give away some of my books. I have little problem parting with the ones that are on the miscellaneous shelves. But the other shelves? I can’t see myself being able to do this. It would break my heart. And yet that is what it means to be pushing the boundaries. So this evening I will be going through my bookshelf, doing the easy bit and placing all of the miscellaneous ones into a box and the trying to push myself to part with some of my more treasured books. I still have to think of who to give them to though. If anyone has any ideas let me know.
Lesson 31: Anything that produces an addiction in us to some extent limits our connection with God.
40 Das 40 Gifts Day 30
Today marks ten days until the end of lent and since I failed so spectacularly last week and based on comments on the blog, I’ve decided to up it a notch. The last ten days will be dedicated to exploring the ten outward expressions of simplicity according to Richard Foster and to pushing the boundaries of my giving.
So the first outward expression of simplicity is to buy things for their usefulness only. John Wesley said “As for apparel, I buy the most lasting and in general the plainest I can. I buy no furniture but what is necessary and cheap.”
This outward expression of simplicity goes to the heart of our consumer culture. Our culture is about buying more and more and more things that are for the most part completely unnecessary – gadgets and fashions being the main marketers’ dreams. I am at the moment thinking of upgrading my computer for instance. But thinking about it, I really only want to do it because I like the look of a smaller version. My computer is slowing down and I will have to look at it in the future, but for now it operates perfectly well.
But the rubber hit the road here on the clothes issue. This seems to be a problem for me. I’m not sure if you agree with me but winter is looming in the air. As I was walking through Woolworths I noticed how many nice winter clothes there are. And I had Richard Foster’s words playing over in my head “buy things for their usefulness only.” Well, if that’s the case I really only need to buy some warm shoes. I have everything else for winter. I can’t tell you how tough this was. As I walked through Woolworths I was just imagining how that jersey or that jacket would make me look, what it would say about me. And then I had to bring myself back to reality.
But here was my solution: I decided that instead of buying some winter garb for me, I would buy some children’s winter garb for the children who stand with their mothers on a couple of corners in my neighbourhood. These children definitely could do with some warm clothes.
So from now on I will need to be walking through malls going "buy it for its usefulness only..."
Lesson 30: Freeing ourselves from what we are told we need helps us identify with how much God has given us.
So the first outward expression of simplicity is to buy things for their usefulness only. John Wesley said “As for apparel, I buy the most lasting and in general the plainest I can. I buy no furniture but what is necessary and cheap.”
This outward expression of simplicity goes to the heart of our consumer culture. Our culture is about buying more and more and more things that are for the most part completely unnecessary – gadgets and fashions being the main marketers’ dreams. I am at the moment thinking of upgrading my computer for instance. But thinking about it, I really only want to do it because I like the look of a smaller version. My computer is slowing down and I will have to look at it in the future, but for now it operates perfectly well.
But the rubber hit the road here on the clothes issue. This seems to be a problem for me. I’m not sure if you agree with me but winter is looming in the air. As I was walking through Woolworths I noticed how many nice winter clothes there are. And I had Richard Foster’s words playing over in my head “buy things for their usefulness only.” Well, if that’s the case I really only need to buy some warm shoes. I have everything else for winter. I can’t tell you how tough this was. As I walked through Woolworths I was just imagining how that jersey or that jacket would make me look, what it would say about me. And then I had to bring myself back to reality.
But here was my solution: I decided that instead of buying some winter garb for me, I would buy some children’s winter garb for the children who stand with their mothers on a couple of corners in my neighbourhood. These children definitely could do with some warm clothes.
So from now on I will need to be walking through malls going "buy it for its usefulness only..."
Lesson 30: Freeing ourselves from what we are told we need helps us identify with how much God has given us.
40 Days 40 Gifts Day 28 & 29
I guess the revelation of the past few days has helped e get back on track and not to throw everything out of the window.
Things got a little better over the past few days. I’ve been more aware of the need to step out of my own concerns and self absorption to see the needs around me. I’ve found myself initially shaking my head at beggars as is my usual habit and then rethinking that reaction and leaning down to grab a coin or a small note. The appreciation makes it all worth it and reaffirms the fact that when we reach out to others our own troubles and concerns fade away, in part because they simply seem less significant and in part because you can’t escape the joy of giving.
I haven’t given anything monumental, nor have I had any monumental revelations. I’m simply enjoying once again committing myself to giving and to seeking God’s guidance in these decisions. I still haven’t cleared out the clothes cupboard as promised. However, I am gearing up for the last ten days of lent in which I plan to go big and explore Richard Foster’s ten outward expressions of simplicity.
So I’m afraid there are no deep lessons and amazing revelations. But I would like to share these two lessons with you as I have renewed my commitment to giving and rediscovered the joy in it.
Lesson 28: Giving is a gift to be enjoyed - as soon as you feel like you have to do it, it's not a gift.
Lesson 29: Giving helps us to receive more joyfully
Things got a little better over the past few days. I’ve been more aware of the need to step out of my own concerns and self absorption to see the needs around me. I’ve found myself initially shaking my head at beggars as is my usual habit and then rethinking that reaction and leaning down to grab a coin or a small note. The appreciation makes it all worth it and reaffirms the fact that when we reach out to others our own troubles and concerns fade away, in part because they simply seem less significant and in part because you can’t escape the joy of giving.
I haven’t given anything monumental, nor have I had any monumental revelations. I’m simply enjoying once again committing myself to giving and to seeking God’s guidance in these decisions. I still haven’t cleared out the clothes cupboard as promised. However, I am gearing up for the last ten days of lent in which I plan to go big and explore Richard Foster’s ten outward expressions of simplicity.
So I’m afraid there are no deep lessons and amazing revelations. But I would like to share these two lessons with you as I have renewed my commitment to giving and rediscovered the joy in it.
Lesson 28: Giving is a gift to be enjoyed - as soon as you feel like you have to do it, it's not a gift.
Lesson 29: Giving helps us to receive more joyfully
40 days 40 Gifts Days 23 - 27
At some points this week I seriously considered calling off this 40 Days and 40 Gifts thing. I have really felt that I've failed myself and all of you who have been reading this blog. You see, over the past couple of days I have monumentally failed in my giving endeavours. I have not given a gift for the past 5 days. The reason for this, I think, lies in the fact that I have been utterly self absorbed for the past couple of days. Don’t get me wrong – I am no longer berating myself for this (although I did at the time) - because reflecting on this failure has led me to rather a profound realisation about the nature of God, and particularly about the nature of my relationship with God. So on the one hand I am bummed about missing out on so many opportunities to give and to learn, but at the same time am celebrating how God can still teach me in my failures (perhaps even more so). So what did I learn?
I’ve been reading The Shack by William P Young. It’s been recommended to me a number of times and I’ve thus far succesfully avoided reading it. I tend to avoid books that people rave about because ultimately I find myself disappointed. I can’t give you a review just yet as I’m only half way through but I have found myself wondering why this book has entered my life at this time in particular. You see since I’d been avoiding reading it, it seems quite strange that I would find myself drawn to reading it at this time of my life and at this point in the Lentern journey (I’m a firm believer in books finding their way into your life at the right time). Up until today it didn’t seem to have any significance for this aspect of my spiritual growth i.e. it didn’t have anything to do with simplicity and generosity.
I won’t give the plot away but there is a seen where the main character – Mack – is having a conversation with Sarayu (the way he sees the Holy Spirit). And I’ll quote:
“I can see now that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determinded to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil.” Mack sighed deeply. “Such truth in that.” Sarayu said gently. “Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a good part of you does not want to see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.”
Whether it’s our need to define what is right and wrong on our own terms, or whether its our desire to provide for ourselves, or gather more things (what we think we need or deserve or will make us look better), by depending on ourselves we “allow ourselves to play God in our independence.” We seek to do it for ourselves instead of trusting the goodness of God.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we should all give up our jobs and wait for manna from heaven. What I am saying is that this insane need to push ourselves to work longer hours and earn more money and buy more things is a symptom of us trying to play God. We play into our fears that tomorrow we will not be provided for.
There is another beautiful scene in this book where Mack is now talking with Jesus who has just told Mack that they will be walking to the other side of the lake – Peter style - on the water. Mack is justifiably alarmed at the prospect of walking on water but nevertheless decides to go with the flow (so to speak). He hesitates at the edge of the pier. Jesus says to him “Peter had the same problem: How to take that first step.” He asks Mack what he’s afraid of and Mack says, “That I might look like a fool, that you’re playing games with me and that I’ll sink.” Jesus says, that’s the problem with imagination – we spend a great deal of time worrying about what might happen in the future. But it’s hardly ever based on fact and most notably, what we imagine hardly ever involves God.
We are running around with crazy stress and ridiculous working hours and far too much to do, trying to secure our futures. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen in the future. How wonderful would it be to stop such an insane lust for independence – to not worry about what tomorrow holds, to not worry if I will be provided for, to not have to work weekends.
This week I learned many things. The reason I didn’t give this week was because of my insane lust for independence. Because I was playing God in my life – working like crazy to meet deadlines and to prove to everyone that I could do it. Because of my fear of what might happen tomorrow if I didn’t. Not once did I pause to consider God’s role in my life and what living in his goodness might mean. Not once did I put my faith in God and say, you know best – take over.
Lesson 23 – 27 (it was a big lesson): I learned that chasing after money, whether its rooted in a need for security in the future, or in a need to demonstrate who I am to others (through possessions or through bragging about how stressed I am and how hard I work) is a symptom of the fact that I am playing God.
How wonderful would it be if we could have faith enough to take God’s hand and step onto the water of his caretaking?
I’ve been reading The Shack by William P Young. It’s been recommended to me a number of times and I’ve thus far succesfully avoided reading it. I tend to avoid books that people rave about because ultimately I find myself disappointed. I can’t give you a review just yet as I’m only half way through but I have found myself wondering why this book has entered my life at this time in particular. You see since I’d been avoiding reading it, it seems quite strange that I would find myself drawn to reading it at this time of my life and at this point in the Lentern journey (I’m a firm believer in books finding their way into your life at the right time). Up until today it didn’t seem to have any significance for this aspect of my spiritual growth i.e. it didn’t have anything to do with simplicity and generosity.
I won’t give the plot away but there is a seen where the main character – Mack – is having a conversation with Sarayu (the way he sees the Holy Spirit). And I’ll quote:
“I can see now that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determinded to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil.” Mack sighed deeply. “Such truth in that.” Sarayu said gently. “Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a good part of you does not want to see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence.”
Whether it’s our need to define what is right and wrong on our own terms, or whether its our desire to provide for ourselves, or gather more things (what we think we need or deserve or will make us look better), by depending on ourselves we “allow ourselves to play God in our independence.” We seek to do it for ourselves instead of trusting the goodness of God.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we should all give up our jobs and wait for manna from heaven. What I am saying is that this insane need to push ourselves to work longer hours and earn more money and buy more things is a symptom of us trying to play God. We play into our fears that tomorrow we will not be provided for.
There is another beautiful scene in this book where Mack is now talking with Jesus who has just told Mack that they will be walking to the other side of the lake – Peter style - on the water. Mack is justifiably alarmed at the prospect of walking on water but nevertheless decides to go with the flow (so to speak). He hesitates at the edge of the pier. Jesus says to him “Peter had the same problem: How to take that first step.” He asks Mack what he’s afraid of and Mack says, “That I might look like a fool, that you’re playing games with me and that I’ll sink.” Jesus says, that’s the problem with imagination – we spend a great deal of time worrying about what might happen in the future. But it’s hardly ever based on fact and most notably, what we imagine hardly ever involves God.
We are running around with crazy stress and ridiculous working hours and far too much to do, trying to secure our futures. Why? Because we are afraid of what might happen in the future. How wonderful would it be to stop such an insane lust for independence – to not worry about what tomorrow holds, to not worry if I will be provided for, to not have to work weekends.
This week I learned many things. The reason I didn’t give this week was because of my insane lust for independence. Because I was playing God in my life – working like crazy to meet deadlines and to prove to everyone that I could do it. Because of my fear of what might happen tomorrow if I didn’t. Not once did I pause to consider God’s role in my life and what living in his goodness might mean. Not once did I put my faith in God and say, you know best – take over.
Lesson 23 – 27 (it was a big lesson): I learned that chasing after money, whether its rooted in a need for security in the future, or in a need to demonstrate who I am to others (through possessions or through bragging about how stressed I am and how hard I work) is a symptom of the fact that I am playing God.
How wonderful would it be if we could have faith enough to take God’s hand and step onto the water of his caretaking?
40 Days 40 Gifts Day 22
Surprise! I love giving surprises and I love being surprised. Last night I gave Beert a surprise birthday party. I invited his very close friends around for dinner (only his very close friends since I don’t have space in my house to host too many more people than that). Beert arrived at my house and was (GLEE) very surprised.
It was a night of good food and great conversation and much reminiscing between the boys.
What lesson did I learn? No great spiritual lessons here just this,
Lesson 22: Giving gifts generates happiness in others and in ourselves. Spread the joy.
It was a night of good food and great conversation and much reminiscing between the boys.
What lesson did I learn? No great spiritual lessons here just this,
Lesson 22: Giving gifts generates happiness in others and in ourselves. Spread the joy.
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