Fuel Prices Rise, Let's Learn to Live Simply!

These days, living simply seems almost necessary.

The reason, of course, is the cost of living. When fuel prices go up, other prices will surely rise as well. Meanwhile, the needs of life keep going. We also need to be wiser in managing our finances.

Therefore, living simply can be a solution. But what does living simply mean? How do we do it?

How Important Is Simple Living?

According to gln.kemdikbud.go.id, simple living is a way of life that is adjusted to primary needs. Primary needs include shelter, nutritious food, education, and health. This way of life means we focus more on those things than on ourwants.

What are the benefits? We come to understand that our needs are the most important thing. By prioritizing needs, we become wise with money. Every expense also becomes planned. Needs first, then wants. It is fine to buy based on desire, but needs must still come first.

By simplifying our lifestyle, there are many benefits we can gain. For example, we learn to save and build savings. The second benefit is that we will be more grateful for this life . Next, we will be calmer and happier. 

What Does the Word Say about Simple Living?

Do you believe that simple living is written about in the Bible?

Ibrani 13:5 Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you."  

From the verse above, we can see that being content with our income is the Father's will. If we are given more, we give thanks and manage it well. If we feel our income is not as much as other people's, we still give thanks and adjust it to our lifestyle . 

From this we also learn not to become slaves to money. Of course, it is fine for us to work hard to meet our family's needs, but we must not forget God and our family. If we do not enjoy togetherness with our family, what is the point of all our hard work?

Believe that God will not abandon us when we depend on Him!

Tips for Living Simply

A good life is a life that is content. Now, how do we put it into practice?

1. Match Spending to Income/Create a Budget

The first step in living simply is matching expenses to income. Or, in modern terms: budgeting.

First of all, start by knowing the amount of your income. Write down exactly how much income comes in during one month.

Then, write down the amount of expenses that must be paid every month. Prioritize all primary needs, the things that are truly necessary or urgent. For example: mortgage installments, children's school fees, daily food costs, electricity-water-gas bills, and other expenses. 

Besides essential expenses, we need to set aside 10-15% of our income for savings. Who knows if an unexpected need may arise. 

Having a budget makes it easier for us to manage expenses in a month. This way, we also know how to live contentedly. This is like John the Baptist's message to the soldiers who listened to him:

Lukas 3:14 Some soldiers also asked him, "And what should we do?" John answered them: "Do not extort money and do not accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."

Perhaps those soldiers felt their income was not enough, while their desires and expenses were greater. What was the Lord Jesus' advice for them? Be content with the wages you have!

This is the crucial point of simple living: are we able to be content with what we have? 

2. Master Your Desires

What does it mean to control desire? In this case, it is the urge to keep satisfying ourselves for the sake of prestige or appearances, or to feel that every desire must be fulfilled without considering our ability. 

In what way can desire damage our finances ? We need to distinguish which are wants and which are needs. If we follow our wants more until they go beyond the reach of our income, that is desire gaining greater control over us.

This does not mean we may not buy based on desire. However, it is good for us to ask ourselves: is this beneficial for me? Or is it merely a desire of the heart?

Amsal 23:2 Put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite! 

Galatia 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 

The two verses above emphasize how important it is to overcome and master our desires. Uncontrolled desires will ruin our financial plans and life. Therefore, take another look at whether we spend money only to satisfy desire or because of necessity. 

Live According to Our Means

Simple living may not be easy. There is much we must sacrifice, but in the end, it is indeed good. We become quick to give thanks and enjoy God's blessings, because we are able to use those blessings well. Also, being wise with money makes life more secure.

Come on, let's live according to our means!

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