Before I discovered minimalism and connected it to my faith life, I would often make purchases based on who I wanted to be in the future. I wanted to get outdoors more, so I bought hiking boots, a tent, and camping gear. I wanted to present myself as more put-together, so I would buy specific outfits and makeup and shoes to portray that image.

Sometimes, my hopeful purchases matched who I was, and I used the products I bought for the long term. Other times, though, like the purchases I mentioned above, they didn’t stick at all. I am not an incredibly outdoorsy person, so I can count on one hand the number of times I used that gear. And the clothes, makeup, and shoes? I wore them periodically– but honestly, they didn’t really match who I was, and they were kind of uncomfortable.

These types of purchases fall into the category of aspirational spending: when we buy things hoping to improve ourselves or our surroundings.

The Dangers of Aspirational Spending

Aspirational spending in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. If we know we will actually enjoy a new hobby or pastime, for example, buying materials for that activity will in the long run add immense value to our lives.

But sometimes, aspirational spending gets us into trouble. We end up buying things that don’t actually match who we are. We think we need them because society says we should, or an advertisement or influencer convinced us we would be more beautiful, social, happy, etc. with that product. And then we spend our money on the thing– and realize we won’t be using it much, or at all. So the thing adds clutter to our lives, because we can’t bring ourselves to get rid of it and face the fact that we spent money on something that didn’t end up working out.

Contentment is Key

The antidote to unhelpful aspirational spending is contentment. If we are content with what we already have, we are less likely to look towards material goods to give us hope for the future.

Paul writes about his own experience of being content:

Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-23

Consumer culture wants to keep us unsatisfied and aspirationally spending money. But we are able to resist unhelpful aspirational spending and experience contentment through the strength God gives us.

How is God helping YOU to resist unhelpful aspirational spending?



Did you like this post? Check out the Christian Minimalism book!