Posted in Simple and Frugal Living
Temperance is a tricky word. By definition it means "moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control." Many people who profess simplicity and/or frugality are in the mindset that they are also temperant. However this is not always the case.
C.S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters that gluttony has been misunderstood by us. Screwtape pens in a letter that they (the demons) have been working on this for 100 years; they have been "concentrating all our efforts on the gluttony of Delicacy, not gluttony of Excess." This is a poignant and important point.
We usually think of gluttony as too much of something; food, alcohol, clothing, shoes, toys, etc. Yet there is another side that is mostly neglected. This pertains to the gluttony of simplicity. Many times, those seeking the simple and frugal lifestyle, will stop at nothing to achieve it (myself included). How many times have I purchased something (not needed) because I might need it some day and the sale is exceptional? Shall I drag out the boxes to demonstrate this? I have even been able to push this to the limits, by getting something put to the curb or on Freecycle just because we might need it some day...only that day never comes and it sits in our garage or shed unused. This is gluttony for the sake of simplicity.
One perfect example of this is that in my garage is a wonderful handmade child's wooden rocker. It's very heavy and came with a great plush set of cushions. It was on the curb and I thought, "The baby will love that when she gets older." (Mind you, I already owned the wooden rocker from my childhood and a mini stuffed chair one of our kids received as a gift one year.) So I rushed to the side of the road, jumped out, and quickly put my glorious find in the back of the truck. I drove home excited for my find. I placed it in the garage until I would have time to clean it and wash the cushions. It is still sitting there today; even as I write this.
Most people on the search for the frugal and simple life have done this to some degree at some time. In order to live the simple and frugal life we must go beyond our first instincts: to protect the wallet. We must think more about simplicity; less, not more. I have had to implement the rule of thumb I use for new purchases: walk away. If I really want an item I will make the effort to return and purchase (or pick it up). However, most times, I never return. This is because once my emotions about an item are gone, I realize there is no true need for it.
When making choices about "stuff" (even free stuff) and desires, take time to mull over. Evaluate your need for such and item and the motives behind it. The mother in Screwtape is deceived by her gluttony by the mere fact that she thinks she is doing good by wanting less on her plate (so as not to waste), or asking for very simple food. However, she has such an obsession with the paramount importance of this that she does not see her gluttony, because it is clouded by her emotional stand that she is not wasting and asking for something simple. Yet all the while, it is near impossible for anyone to please her.
We need to be mindful of our journey to simplicity. Righteous gluttony, the focused journey to be transformed to Christ's image, is where our hearts, minds, and souls should be. For if we put this into practice, the journey to simplicity will fall into place, rather than be the focus of our lives.
These are my thoughts.
Leslie Valeska
~Contributing Writer~
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