Day 14: Foster’s 10 things

This is where we transition from the spiritual side of simplicity to the practical side, and quite frankly, the practical side is a little scarier for me to write about. Today’s easy, because I am sharing from Richard J. Foster’s book, “Celebration of Discipline” on the 10 principles for the outward expression of simplicity, but I would love your prayers for me as I share, that in whatever I say, I continue to keep the Kingdom first.

Foster’s 10 principles for the outward expression of simplicity:

1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.

I don’t consider myself a materialistic person but when you start taking inventory of why you buy something, you may find some things were really status symbols. Take for example, natural living. Maybe you buy natural products not just because you believe in them but because it drives your own status with others.

2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.

This is a big one. Almost all of us have an addiction somewhere in our lives, and not all addictions are as obvious or as easily spotted as say drug or alcohol addiction. Do you need to go shopping when you feel down? Maybe you like to eat a piece of chocolate when you are grumpy? Ask yourself, “Can I say no to this thing and still be okay?”

3. Develop a habit of giving things away.

Either develop relationships with people you can pass on clothing or excess goods to or make a every other month or monthly donation of extra clothing and articles in your home to a local charity. In my city, for example, there are three charities that collect goods and ask for them on a regular basis. If you have the same system in your community, plan to say yes next time they come to your neighborhood.

4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.

This one hits me in the head. 🙂 I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love it, but yet I am well aware of how industrialization and modern technologies enslave us in ways we need not be enslaved. Many people now have to have ipads and tablets, and people say that one day books will not exist in hardcopies. (sad 🙁 ). I just read this week that the common core curriculum no longer requires cursive writing as part of their graduation requirements. Yet there are enormous benefits to both handwriting and to writing in cursive. I actually have learned to hand-write my blog posts because it helps me write better and faster. There is something gratifying about a pencil hitting the paper and in turning the pages of a book and seeing it to completion as you turn the pages. We think that technology has freed us when it fact so often it has caused to believe the lies of doing more in less time.

5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.

I do own a kindle, and I love downloading library books on them. Even better, I love to go into the library and sit and small and turn the pages of the books. I can save much money and space in my home by borrowing from the library rather than buying. You can also check out movies, playaways, CD’s, and audio books. If you can’t tell, the library is one of my favorite places. A friend of mine from high school once found that I’d majored in engineering and gave me a great complement, “I’d always thought you’d be a librarian.” If only I’d known to dream that up. 🙂

6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.

I recently joined a gym that’s not the YMCA, but you know what? I sorta hate it. I feel like a gerbil on a wheel. I am angered that society has stretched itself so thin that we no longer know how to take care of our bodies except via treadmill or elliptical machines when just as recently as my grandparents worked in the fields, which was their natural gym. They even were able to eat more calories than we can because they worked their bodies so much more. I am considering doing away with the gym in favor of regular walks in my neighborhood which increase my exercise and my joy so much more. Also, enjoying His creation helps me to slow down, reduce stress, remember Him, and sing His praises, which again increases my own joy.

7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes.

I am not a Dave Ramsey follower, but I definitely live by the principles he teaches. If and when I can help it I do not like to carry a debt, and if I make a credit card purchase, I pay it off that same month or as soon as possible.

8. Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech.

I try to be honest in all my speech, but insecurities can breed less than honest speech. This can be a tricky one to identify.

9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.

I am learning to practice this one, as I am not always good about educating myself in knowing what products are actually causing others harm. For example, Foster says, “Do we sip our coffee and eat our bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants?”

10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.

 Anything that distracts, anything you crave more than Christ, has to go.

This post is part of my 31 days of Simplicity series. To see the rest of the posts in this series, click on the icon below.

Photo Credit: Sharon Mollerus

Linking up in these places: Michelle, Modest Mom, Ann, Laura, Better Mom, Carissa, and Laura.