5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDIES Thriftiness vs. Extravagance "Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary" THRIFTINESS- A Five-Minute Study Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Contributed by Craig E. Beckley Bible Teacher, Moores Hill, Indiana June 23, 2003 THRIFTINESS vs. Extravagance Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary. It has been said that THRIFTINESS is the basis for good stewardship. We are all called upon to be good stewards of what God has given us. We are to use his gifts and blessing by investing them so that they multiply and produce a great reward. THRIFTINESS almost always brings to mind money and being fiscally responsible, but there is something else that we are told to be good stewards of, and it may be worth a closer examination. 1 Peter 4:10 As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. The grace of God is something that we are blessed with. The grace of God is the basis of our salvation; we can not earn salvation. The grace of God is the basis of the individual giftings that every one has received. With this in mind, let us examine how we can “invest” the grace of God that has secured for us our salvation. God sent his Son to die for our sins, when we were set, in our hearts, against him. He looked at us in a positive light when there was nothing positive about us. We were lost and undone and without any Godly inspiration at all. We invest God’s grace by demonstrating that grace to those we come in contact with, especially those who are set against us. Jesus told us to love our enemies, didn’t he? Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Whenever we speak, the hearers of our words should understand the unmerited favor that God has shown to us. By showing that favor and acceptance to others, we are “investing” the gift of grace that God has shown to us. Investments multiply. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. This is how we wisely use the blessings of God. Thriftiness takes self-control, as does a soft answer when we are about to enter into a hostile conversation. May we invest God’s grace by allowing only fruitful word to come out of our mouths, and thereby present to the Master a bountiful harvest at his return. Here are five “I will” principles to practice in order to incorporate the character trait of thriftiness into your life (write these on a poster, board or overhead transparency). I will save more and spend less. I will make good use of what I already have. I will look for the best value. I will budget my money, time and energy. I will not confuse what I need with what I want. Closing #1: Let’s dialog about it with one another. Shift the group into small discussion groups of 3-4. Encourage groups to list the hindrances in their own lives to practicing thriftiness in their families and with acquaintances. Ask groups to share their feelings with the whole group. Closing #2: Let’s close in silent prayer, ask God: To forgive you for things in your life that cause you to focus on yourself instead of the needs that are around you. To show you how to practice thriftiness in you life. To make you aware of opportunities to grow in this character trait.   This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.