We often hear from people something like “I’m busy, I don’t have time for..”.
Even more, everyone is used to it, and is able to find thousands of excuses
under the title of things they “have to do”. Actually, the list is endless. After
one project, a new one always comes up, after fall quarter, a harder winter
quarter follows, and so on.
I was trying to figure out what is going on, why I have become so busy,
especially, after moving to the United States. I found one simple explanation
in that every purchase requires time. I can admit without hesitation that
America is a place of opportunity. Here you are able to buy anything: a large
house, an expensive car, good education or whatever else. Credit and a
mortgage will help get what you want. However, almost no one will tell us
about the hidden cost of every purchase, that can often be more than the
actual price. For example, for every single item you buy, you must at least,
have to spend some time to pick it out, buy, use, maintain, and eventually
get rid of it, not to mention earning the money to pay for it. Besides this, you
would be lucky if your purchase does not require other purchases as well, for
example, a coat goes with shoes, a car requires service and insurance, a
house needs furniture. Every single purchase expands your list of things you
need to do.
Be careful, because at the end of life people tend to regret the lack of time
spent with friends, family and God, more than missing out on a new car. So I
would recommend using one Biblical filter before buying something.
Colossians 3:2 says “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”.
If we will be thinking first about how this purchase will glorify God’s name,
how we can serve and show His love even through the earthly things, then we
will be able to see more clearly what is necessary and what is excessive.
Vitalii Nemets
