Spirituality and Frugality

**forHISglory** · 08-29-2008, 10:27 AM

Do you see any connection or link between being spiritual and being frugal?

If so, what do you think is the connection? Is it teaching of the particular religion or faith? Is it the happiness quotient? Is it a quieting of the "wants" that a religion might bring?

Do you see this in your own life? Or have you observed it in the lives of others?

I've noticed some posts by LDS members, who talk of the stockpiling they do. There seems to be a definite link there between spirituality and frugality. Others talk of tithing and how that determines some of the budgeting. Some seem to be walking the path of internal peace, and being frugal seems to add to that.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

**rachelj** · 08-29-2008, 10:36 AM

I think that just like anything - a good thing can be taken too far depending on the attitude with it. I tend to think too much about $$$ and being frugal and need to be more giving. This is something that I am working on.

I feel like I have been called to be a good steward of all that God has given to me and our family. Yes, I am trying to happier with less as Phillipians 4 talks about. Jesus talks more about money than any other subject and there is a reason. Altho, his teaching about $$ has little to do with salvation but more of an acting out of our faith.

I honestly don't know if what I am typing makes sense to anyone other than me

Yes, I think that there is a connection.

**forHISglory** · 08-29-2008, 11:54 AM

Rachelj made an insightful comment about giving. Do you think that one's level of charity/charitable giving is linked to spirituality? To frugality? This type of giving can be to the national organizations, such as Red Cross, or the Cancer Society, but also could be to a church, or to needy people that you personally know.

Do frugal people give more? Or is there an idea that frugal people are stingy? What does your spiritual direction make of this?

**elphie** · 08-29-2008, 12:07 PM

To answer this I have to clarify my belief about two essential things:

1) There is a big difference between being spiritual and being religious. It is possible to be both and it is possible to be only one of the two. Although I do attend church I consider myself to be a spiritual person, not really religious (and most of my church friends would agree w/ that assessment :roll eyes: ).

2) There is als a difference in being financially responsible and being frugal. I built up savings and avoided cc debt for a long time w/o being frugal. I had more money to spend so I wasn't as cautious about how I spent it. As long as we had an EF, didn't abuse credit, and lived below our means we were being financially respobsible. When our income dropped we became frugal. My definition of frugal is actively looking for ways to stretch the income you have (ie: meatless meals, cooking from scratch, clothesline, homemade cleaning solutions, etc.)

With the understanding of how I view spirituality and frugality I would answer the OP by saying that I do not have an emotional need to buy things I can't afford, no matter my level of income. I can appreciate and enjoy more expensive things if it is financially responsible to do so but I can find just as much pleasure and joy in my life w/o those things if it would be irrespobsible to have them. For example; I love to travel and when I worked full time we would travel to Europe about once every two years, sometimes once a year. It was beautiful and enlightening and if given the opportunity I would love to go back. However, now that I'm a SAHM we can't afford it and our vacation to the Gulf this summer was also beautiful and I felt absolutely no sense of loss in going to Alabama instead of Europe. Next year, we will probably stay in our own state because the bugdet will be even tighter but I know we will have fun no matter what.

So, for me frugality is a matter of need. We don't have as much income as we once did so we must adjust and learn to stretch our dollars further. So no, I am not frugal BECAUSE of my spirituality but it certainly does make it an easier path for me. I haven't really had any problem giving up the extras because I am filled with a sense of myself, my place in the world, and, most importantly, my God.

**Telephus44** · 08-29-2008, 01:25 PM

I really don't see the two as connected. Many frugal people are not spiritual, and many spiritual people are not frugal. But there are also many people who are both. I see them as unrelated, like being left handed and watching Nascar racing - sure some left-handed people watch Nascar, but there's no real connection there. Frugality is also highly compatible with spirituality, and it's easy to be both, but I don't see a direct connection.

I do see spirituality and generosity (giving to others) as related, as most if not all (I haven't studied all of them) teach about giving back.

And ephie - I know 100% what you mean about spirituality and religion being two different things, I would say I am the same as you - spiritual but not religious.

**HisDaisy** · 08-29-2008, 01:32 PM

For me there is a link.
I want to be a good stewart of what God has given me whether it be money, time, gifts, or talents. Frugality fits into that. We are frugal so that we can live with less and still be able to give to others. My DH and I make less money than many others, but we still give our tithe, give to the poor, and aid in the missionary effort. It is part of who we are and part to what God calls us to be.
Frugality also helps us simplify our lives and use what we have instead of always wanting and needing more. This makes us happier people with more time to share with others.
If I was always worrying about making more money so that I could have more stuff, my life would not be as complete as it is now.
Also being frugal and living on less makes us more reliant on God to provide of all our needs. That draws us closer to Jesus.

**cab54** · 08-29-2008, 02:03 PM

I can identify with the 'walking the path of internal peace' and simplicity/frugality adding to that. I am spiritual, but don't know exactly what I believe, and I've given myself 'time' on that to think, feel, and 'see what happens'.

I used to feel like I had to make a decision NOW on what religion to follow, what to call myself. No need. Changing to a simpler lifestyle gives me room to watch, listen, and think about it--and pray. I do think there's a Higher Power, but not sure about everything else.

I have been reading a lot about the Amish, lately, and can see how their simple, plain lifestyle comes from AND adds to their spirituality.

**monkeywrangler71** · 08-29-2008, 02:28 PM

I believe I have a moral obligation to the rest of the world to be both frugal and charitable. I am not religious, I don't know what spiritual really means, so I'm probably not that either. I have been placed in a position of privilege through random chance, and that obligates me to help those who were not.

**forHISglory** · 08-29-2008, 03:00 PM

I forgot about the Amish/Mennonite faith and how that is played out in their frugal lifestyle.

For me, there is a link. I agree that being religious/spiritual/of faith does not insure frugality, and vice versa But I am finding that as I become more learned and devout in my faith, that my world view changes, my wants change, my desires change. I find that I think less of me and my belongings, and more of others. I find more joy in simplicity, which frees me from the tyranny of "things", and gives me more time to devote to the people around me and to the Lord.

I am Christian, and I know what Christian teachings are. But I was unsure about other faiths, or about those who are not religious in any sense (rather they follow a moral path).

Anyway, I am grateful for your thoughts and time to post those thoughts. I appreciate your honest insights. Thanks!

**hugxlaughxsmilexlove** · 08-29-2008, 03:16 PM

I believe in a combination of Mother Earth, several different God(esses) .. I follow a strict path for myself, I don't follow any certain book but my own .. I believe what I believe in spiritually has helped me become more frugal without even realizing it. Starting to grow up more and taking more time to notice things. Then wanting to become more frugal and green it's kinda like.. huh, I've already been doing all of this stuff (minus a few things) all along.. good feeling! Of course you can always do MORE that you already do

**elphie** · 08-29-2008, 03:27 PM

As I read through the responses it almost seems like a chicken/egg question. For some being spiritual led them to frugality. For others frugality helped them become more spiritual. Very interesting.

**cab54** · 08-29-2008, 03:44 PM

forHISglory---your most recent post made me think of something I read about the Amish lately.

They have a little 'reminder' they go by, and teach the children--called JOY. It is Jesus, Others, Yourself.

Since I love everything Jesus had to say, I think this is a great 'tool' to live one's life by.

**DJ1972** · 08-29-2008, 05:31 PM

For me there is a connection. Having a simpler life, clutter free house, and not stressing about the bills, makes it easier to have time to connect with God. It also allows more time to do for others, volunteer at church, etc.

**tomishco** · 08-29-2008, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I believe I have a moral obligation to the rest of the world to be both frugal and charitable. I am not religious, I don't know what spiritual really means, so I'm probably not that either. I have been placed in a position of privilege through random chance, and that obligates me to help those who were not.

I agree with you.

**Greebo** · 08-29-2008, 07:02 PM

I can't agree with monkeywrangler71 or tomishco. I have no moral obligation to the world to be frugal OR charitable. I firmly reject the idea of "moral obligation to others" as a fancy way to declare our slavery to each other. I'd rather not be kind and charitable to people because its my duty. I am no person's slave, and none is slave to me.

Why, then, have I always been charitable, and why have I recently become much more frugal?

I'm charitable to those causes which support things which I value, and to people I value. Helping them helps me. Maybe not financially, but on deeper, more personal levels. In giving to those things about which I care, I give to myself. I am nothing, if not selfish, first and foremost, and in my selfishness, I give.

Why frugal? Because long term, it makes sense. What is frugality? It is the wise allocation of resources. It's not "being cheap", not hoarding, not being a miser - it's being wise about resources. So, again, it helps me, long term, by making there be more money for later, by making sure my time is spent wisely, and so forth.

Connection to spirituality? I don't see one. I am an avowed atheist. To me, spirituality is just a fancy word for "making up explanations to things we don't have answers for". If one doesn't need spirituality or religion for morality (and one doesn't), then one doesn't need it for frugality or charity either.