Comments on: Relearning Extravagance

By: Alece

Alece — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:09:53 +0000

i love your transparency and authenticity, lindsey.

after eleven years on the mission field, i'd like to think i've got this extravagant giving thing down pat. but more often than i'd like to admit, generosity isn't my first (or even fifth) reaction.

as is most things, it's something i need to choose.

and choose again.

By: brunettekoala

brunettekoala — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:03:42 +0000

yes. Mainly because I'm living paycheck to paycheck at the moment. I'm struggling to keep sponsoring my Compassion child. And I don't buy fancy clothes, I certainly don't have an iPhone or blackberry or even a contract phone for that matter. I buy food, bus fares, car insurance, petrol, eyecare, and pay minimal rent to my Mum who has given me a room. I only work part-time (officially) because that's all the christian charity I work for can afford to pay me for.

But I do not tithe, and I think I should be. Bottom line is that I'm too scared of not having enough money to live on if I do that.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:03:53 +0000

I got hit hard with this a few weeks ago. After spending a weekend with the homeless in our city, I went home to pack for a business trip. I did laundry, then looked at the huge pile of clothes I had available to choose from, and it hit hard. I met people all weekend that probably were in their only outfit, and I had enough clothes for at least two people.

It's amazing how different the definition of extravagance can be depending on your situation. I've been hit a lot lately with the fact that I should be adjusting mine.

By: torybee

torybee — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:33:23 +0000

I have a slight, well, not so slight, diet coke addiction so yes; I definitely deem diet coke as a necessity! But not all do.

I loved Keller's book; in fact, he's a favorite author of mine.

It's funny that so many pastors talked about money last Sunday! I love your posts, btw.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:20:30 +0000

@torybee I think all the pastor's must have gotten together and determined Sunday was money day.

Diet Coke not a necessity? Oh my!

I'll checkout Keller's book.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:43 +0000

@toni, that's what i was afraid of.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:07 +0000

@Jennifer, from an outsider's point-of-view you look like you do a great job sharing your time.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:15:58 +0000

@Benjamin, I'm with you. It's scary.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:15:23 +0000

@Jessica Right back atcha. Jenni told me about your Sunday…you are amazing. Looking forward to some Edward and Bella on Friday night.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:04:23 +0000

As a kid, I faithfully put fifty cents in the offering plate every Sunday morning, and I never gave it a second thought. Now, every time I write a check to my church, I start thinking about my bills, the student loans I'm still paying back, the current state of the economy, etc. And – even though it kills me to admit this – I worry that God might not catch me if I take that financial "leap". After all these years, I'm still learning to trust that He has every area of my life under control, including my finances.