One of the most challenging things about living on a low income is seeing others gain and seemly benefit materially from a more considerable income. You see others buying houses, cars, going on holidays, wearing expensive clothing and adornments and feel disappointed that you can’t do the same. That causes you to make judgments about them and yourself. You believe they are so much happier and better for having these things and that somehow you are inferior for not having them. But material possessions and money, although not wrong in and of themselves, can create an illusion of security and happiness. Firstly, some people look rich but carry huge debts, and their lives are full of stress, addictions, and broken relationships. These people are often stuck trying to keep up appearances because they have linked their self-esteem to wealth and belongings. But as Jesus said before he told the parable of the foolish rich man in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”. Secondly, it creates an illusion that wealth and extravagant living go hand in hand. However, many people are wealthy, but you wouldn’t know it by the way they dress or live. Although they have the means, they feel no need to act rich. Proverbs 13:7 reminds us, “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth”. I have met people who are wealthy but don’t live in excess. These people enjoy their wealth but understand that material possessions and money are not what makes their life complete.
I point this out because when you are on a low income, the last thing you need is to be wasting money trying to keep up with others. Instead, you need to be content and make the most of what you have. Sometimes limitations can produce creativity and open your eyes to things you never knew existed. When you accept your financial constraints, what you find is a multitude of ways to enjoy life without having to spend much money and to prize those things you already possess.
That leads me to another point, take care of what you have. Look after it. It doesn’t matter if it is things like an old car or old furniture; you can still maintain it reasonably well. Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions”. By not giving attention to what they have, lazy and ungrateful people ruin their possessions and then have to fork out more money than necessary to buy new items. However, when you prize what you have, whether it is considered valuable by the world or not, and take care of your belongings, you preserve its use. I know of people who have the money to buy a brand-new car whenever they want but instead often stick with an older one taking care of it to keep it in good working order for many years. When it finally came time to buy another, they just purchased another good second hand one and took care of that. Now I am not saying it is wrong to buy a brand-new car. That’s not my point. My point is, take care of what you have, and you will find you save money as you avoid having to replace something you have carelessly ruined.
So, if you find yourself living on a low income, let go of the illusion that material belongings and extravagant living equal success and happiness. Instead, enjoy what you do have and take care of it. When you practice these, you will avoid sinking further into the pit of debt and begin to build habits that create some financial margin and a firm foundation for a more financially secure future.
