Contentment Prayer by Adam Hamilton

Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity.  Amen.

Westwood Lutheran Church, ELCA in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, read “Enough” by Adam Hamilton during their academic 2011-12 school year.  The senior pastor, Tania Haber, told All Saints that they tried an additional challenge – beyond just reading the book.

The “Challenge” was simple and profound: Do not buy anything new for six months.  (Beyond the necessities of food, household cleaning products, food, and personal products.)

Do you think you could refrain from buying new things?

National Public Radio (NPR) had a challenge a few years ago where several households challenged each other to not buy anything new for one year.  A dilemma occurred when one household’s clothes washer died.  If they bought a used washer the amount of water would be twice as much as a newer washer; a top loading agitator version versus a front loader water conservation model.  The households got together to see what the other members had to say.  To be honest, I don’t remember what the family decided to do; but what I do remember is the thoughtfulness they had in approaching the question.

What would our world look like if we took a little more time to think about our spending habits?  Or, if we had longer conversations with people who have different approaches to finances than those that we hold fast to in our own household?

How can we start to think differently about money, spending, saving, and being good stewards of this creation we have been given?

Are you willing to take on the “Enough Challenge” outlined above?  Or, at least talk about the concept as a different way of living out our mission as disciples of Christ?

Let us know when you get a chance.

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