Some time ago, I was sitting in church, listening to our pastor tell about a fellow missionary he knew. This man was very different from the average American.
He worked with our Pastor as a missionary in a European country. Whenever he bought something from the natives, he purposely paid extra. He didn't try to get the best deal.
Whenever he sold something, he took less than the thing was worth. He didn't try to get the best deal.
Why?
He didn't want anyone to be able to say that he was trying to cheat, look out "for number one," or pushing and shoving to promote his own interests. He was there to be a witness to these people. He would do whatever it took to keep his testimony clean. Going the extra mile.
How different this is from the greedy average American! Sadly, even Christians seem to be afflicted with this disease.
I was thinking about frugality today. I like being frugal. It makes me feel like I'm being a good steward. There's certainly plenty of Christians who act like their money belongs to them, instead of God. I don't want to join that crowd.
But neither do I want to swing to the other extreme. I'd rather pay $10 extra, and have a good witness, than save $1o and lose my chance to be a good testimony.
How 'bout you?
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1 comment:
I definitely agree! I have thought about this when garage sale-ing and try to be careful to walk that line between getting the best deal, and driving a bargain that exasperates the seller.
In some situations you also need to be cautious of the opposite, would someone (non-Christian) be turned off if he viewed your buying and selling practices as foolish? Although, I suppose the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing no matter what.
I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing,
Erin
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