36–Lever #3: Spending (Part Five—Spending Wisely in an Age of Consumerism)
Stewardship, contentment, and creating margin matter more than ever
We’ve discussed some “big picture” lifestyle decisions, the concept of margin, and the need to live below your means.
It’s probably fair to say that many—even the relatively “well off”—feel they can’t save or give more due to a constant pull toward consumption and debt-funded lifestyles. This article will explore ways to approach your consumption and spending decisions within our affluent, materialist, and consumer-driven culture, drawing on biblical wisdom.
It’s hard to overstate how deeply ingrained cultural consumerism and materialism are in American society today. From an early age, we are exposed to messages equating happiness and success with wealth, possessions, and affluent lifestyles. Marketing and media often portray consumer goods as keys to personal happiness and fulfillment, leading to a culture where accumulating more: bigger homes, newer cars, and the latest technology is not just normal but expected. This environment encourages spending and debt, even when it may not be financially wise or genuinely satisfying.
That said, there are some potential benefits to this consumer-driven culture. For one, it fuels economic growth. Consumer spending accounts for a substantial portion of the U.S. economy, supporting businesses, generating employment opportunities, and driving innovation. Material prosperity can also be a blessing when stewarded well, allowing individuals to provide for their families, support charitable causes, and enjoy the good gifts God has given (1 Timothy 6:17 says, "God… richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment,” ESV).
However, materialism has a significant downside. When acquiring and possessing material things become our highest priority, they can displace God at the center of our lives. Jesus warned in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (ESV).” The relentless pursuit of more often leads to discontentment, debt, anxiety, and a spiritual void. It can also foster social comparison, where self-worth becomes tied to what we have rather than who we are and what we have received in Christ.
Biblically, we are called to live with contentment and generosity rather than excess and accumulation. Hebrews 13:5 urges, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (ESV). The Christian life is not marked by how much we possess but by how faithfully we steward what God has entrusted us. In contrast to the culture of consumerism, Scripture calls us to seek the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33) and store treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Remember–we love what we treasure.
In short, while economic prosperity and consumption have their place—and I admit, I’m like Dave Ramsey, who says, “Hi, I’m Dave, and I like stuff”—they must be held in check by godly wisdom. A life shaped by biblical stewardship values simplicity, contentment, and generosity over material gain, seeing possessions not as a measure of worth but as tools for serving others and glorifying God.
Consumerism takes many forms. One way is the pressure to keep up with neighbors or social media “friends.” (Have you noticed how people post photos of new cars, houses, or vacations—but not the loan papers or credit card bills behind them? When was the last time you saw someone proudly posting a past-due notice on Facebook?)
You know that appearances can be deceiving, right? When you see a fancy house or car, you don’t know what’s behind it. Many are heavily mortgaged or financed. They may look rich, but they’re barely getting by or going deeper into the hole every month. They don’t “own” their expensive stuff; the bank does.
Data suggests that many U.S. households live beyond their means. A recent Bankrate study found fewer than 40% could cover a $1,000 emergency from savings.
So, don’t get caught up in appearances. Proverbs 13:7 says, “One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth” (ESV). This verse can be interpreted in different ways and seems to suggest that some put on an appearance of being wealthy when they have nothing, while others make themselves out to be poor when they have plenty.
Proverbs teaches that certain desires, like greed, are insatiable; for example, Proverbs 30:15 states that “The leech [physician] has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, ‘Enough’” (ESV), such as the grave and fire (v16). This describes how powerful human desires for wealth and possessions are, but they are never satisfied.
Perhaps you know people who seem to have one of everything, and even several of some of those. They don’t share what they have, and they acquire more because they are never satisfied.
Our challenge is that resisting a consumer-driven lifestyle is hard in our culture. Our economy—still the envy of much of the world—acts as a massive machine designed to separate us from our money. Suggesting someone spend less and save more is like suggesting they breathe less.
Everywhere we turn, we hear messages like, “You need it,” “You deserve it,” and “You can afford it” (with credit, of course). It’s too easy to overspend and leave nothing to save or give. So, what can we do?
There’s only one real solution: Plan how much to save, give, and spend—and then work that plan. There may be seasons when saving or giving is limited or paused. But most people, with some effort, can find something to set aside if they have an income.
You must reduce spending or generate more income to increase saving and giving. If you want to save 6% of your income but are currently spending it all, you’ll need to cut spending by 6%. If you’re giving 5% and want to raise it to 10%, you must reduce spending or saving or increase income by 5%.
How you create and manage your plan is up to you. But I recommend starting with a budget (if you don’t already have one) and tracking your spending. You might be surprised at what you’re spending on things like coffee, fast food, or eating out—some of which could go elsewhere. Consider using a tool like Ramsey’s EveryDollar or You-Need-a-Budget (YNAB). (More on budgeting in a future article.)
Once you know where your money is going, you can redirect it toward saving and giving.
You may notice some “consumption creep” over time. Perhaps you’re eating out more or taking more trips. As income increases, people often adopt more expensive habits, hobbies, and forms of entertainment. While these may seem manageable during your working years, they can become major budget drains.
If you can pay cash for these things, that would be great. But if you’re relying on credit, it may be because you can’t truly afford them. Wise stewardship means deciding, “If we can’t pay cash, we won’t buy it.”
Buying a home—and then furnishing and decorating it—is one of the main ways many people overspend. When, where, and how you purchase your first home will be among your most exciting but impactful financial decisions. Are you willing to wait and pay cash to furnish it, or will you take on debt to do it quickly? There’s nothing wrong with nice things—don’t go into debt.
Also, think twice before borrowing again to remodel a home you just mortgaged. Some do this immediately, adding to their already substantial debt burden.
If you are married and want your wife to scale back on work when kids arrive, do you need her full income to afford the home?
How are you planning to handle major expenses like the HVAC going out, other costly maintenance, or replacement costs? Buying a house is expensive—the total cost of ownership is more than just the mortgage payment.
Auto purchases are another big area. Chances are, you don’t need a brand-new car, and whether new or used, you likely don’t need a car payment. And if you think it is always less costly to lease a new car, think again. That monthly payment is money that could go elsewhere.
Children are a blessing and a gift from God. And yes, it costs money to raise them, and it is money well spent. Plan for that, but don’t view children as mainly an expense. If God gives you children, he will abundantly provide for their needs as you faithfully trust him and apply the principles and practices we discuss here.
I hope you have a large family. But if you do, understand that your household expenses could be higher than those of smaller families. Don’t increase them unnecessarily by succumbing to the pressure to buy them more toys than they need, designer clothes, new bikes, high-end computers, smartphones, and expensive vacations you can’t afford.
Many parents rightly care about their children’s schooling. However, that concern can become pressure to pursue private K–12 schools and elite colleges. If you can afford it, great, but don’t stretch to the point of financial harm. I’ve talked with people who plan to use their retirement savings for their kids’ education. I don’t recommend it unless that expensive education will put them in a position to take care of you if you run short.
It will probably be a while before you have a college student. When you do, consider sending them to a two-year junior college to take general education classes and figure out what they really want to do. Then they can do ~2 years at a four-year college. Employers don’t care, and you’ll save tons of money.
Managing spending and avoiding debt (and paying interest)—especially for housing, vehicles, and education—is critical to long-term financial health. It’s just as important as maximizing income and saving. Even as your income grows, living below your means is one of the best ways to ensure you’ll have the margin to save, invest, and give.
For reflection: Take a moment to examine your current lifestyle and spending habits. Are there areas where cultural pressure or personal desires have subtly taken priority over faithful stewardship? Have you justified purchases or consumption patterns that may hinder your ability to give generously, save consistently, or live with margin? Ask God to show you where your heart may be overly attached to comfort, image, or comparison, and invite Him to realign your desires with His purposes. True freedom doesn’t come from having everything you want but from living with wisdom, contentment, and purpose.
Verse: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).