I hear the term "spiritual warfare" from various quarters. And I don't
always get a consistent read on what people mean by it. As a matter of
fact, I'm pretty sure people aren't very consistent in what they mean
by it.

For myself, I'm less concerned about the view some appear to have that
we humans are helpless pawns in a great cosmic battle between invisible
powers. The spiritual warfare that bothers, seduces, and drags me down
is the kind that goes on in full view. Sometimes it is the brassy, sexy
tease of entertainers to young people. At other times it is the greedy,
selfish feeling that comes over me when I watch a commercial on TV or
buy on impulse in the mall.

Recently I read about a group of people who chose to fight conspicuous
consumerism with their own consumer covenant.

A troupe of environmental activists on the West Coast questioned the
possibility of getting through an entire year without purchasing
anything new. That sounds pretty challenging to me. I frankly doubt I
could pull it off. But the more that group talked about it, the more
enticing the possibility sounded.

At the start of 2006, the ten people who had been talking about it made
a pact to give it a try. They called their mutual challenge "The
Compact" and bound themselves to a move away from shopping sprees and
their allied modern addictions. Other than food, toiletries, underwear,
and health-and-safety items, they lived for an entire calendar year and
bought practically nothing new.

It's hard to hear that we are materialistic!

They discovered how many things were available to them for free at the
public library. Several commented on the pleasure they found in
repairing things rather than simply running to the store to buy
replacements. They took a great deal of delight in sharing things they
already had with one another. Paying down credit cards turned out to be
an unexpected bonus to their year-long experiment. "One of the
byproducts of 'The Compact' is that I now have a completely different
relationship with the things in my life," a 42-year-old man said. "I
appreciate the stuff I have more."

A woman participant reported, "I found that a lot of times there were
things I thought I needed that I didn't need that much." Surprise!

There is more said in the Bible generally and in the teachings of Jesus
in particular about money and greed than about most of the topics
Christians have fought over and churches have divided about. It's
simply hard to hear in a culture that is so materialistic. Maybe it's
time we started to listen.

By the way, those ten are now in the second year of their experiment.
They appear to be enjoying their newfound freedom from compulsive
shopping.

Hey Thomas,

What a great read this is.  I have pondered something like this, but have never succeeded.  It probably would help to have a support group that was participating... as with all things it seems. :)

I believe that anyone can pay off their debt just by not feeding the "need" frenzy.  But, that is very difficult with the constant pounding of advertisements on TV, radio, email, billboards, magazines, newspappers... they even advertise at public restrooms right above the urinals... talk about insanity! 

My uncle taught me this rule to live by when I was a new teenage... whenever you are faced with making a purchase... make yourself wait and come back three days later.  Guess what?  You practically won't ever come back unless it is for food that you desperately need or a tool to do a job, etc.

Thanks for the reminder of being more cautious when spending.  Great article!

Hey Joe I'll be anyones support who is willing to listen! Thank you for your posts brother... see ya at 5

Hi Thomas
it is so amazing when something that has been on your mind appears as if by magic in your forum!  although we know it isn't magic...
I have been trying to do like those people you mention in your post and seriously reign in my spending which I feared was getting out of control.  I did like Joe suggested and went away to consider if I really needed it - 9 times out of 10 I didn't go back so hopefully I'm getting there.  I meant to thank you for your response to my little query (lol) the other day - we are meeting on monday and I'll let you know what the overall consensus is - Heaven is a big subject and I'm looking forward to a lively debate!  Thanks again for your imput,

your friend

Sue x

Dear Sue, Thank your for your reply, i try every possible way that i know myself or how i introduce to how i live and think to you guys in any way i know how, either with a study? or real life situations like i have here. Your posts are most welcome anytime. Thanks once again my friend. God_bless.