We’ve used statements like this as pithy words and thoughts, defining an alternate way to live.
- Waste not, Want not.
- A penny saved is a penny earn.
- Care for the pennies and the dollars will care for themselves.
- Better slip with foot and not with tongue.
Of course, there are hundreds, no, thousands of these. Millions? Perhaps. We are always saying something wise when we study our past with the intent of learning from it. Then, we make it our own by adjusting it to the present world. Why? We don’t think only in the old thoughts of yesteryear, and we have a new language and a new world to deal with.
Other than the necessities of life, what if you took a week to focus on using what you have instead of buying new? You know, make do… content that you are not wasting money or time with shopping.
When eBay first came on the scene, many were saying, “You’ll see your house in a new light. Everything you have is worth something to someone. Sell it!” If this is true, then that song by Topol, “If I Were A Rich Man,” is not true (Watch Video Here). It should say, “I AM a Rich Man!” Only, he needed to find those who are willing to buy!
The thing I take note of is that my stuff produces a form of wealth! I took a lot to acquire and will take even more to sell. Listing, selling, packing, shipping… That’s not near as much fun as wandering the mega stores and finding that treasure you cannot do without, right?
Strategy Thinking
Over my many years of living, I’ve been to more dumps and trash heaps than you can imagine. Not just the commercial ones that a government entity may own. No. We use to go to places in the country where my grandmother remembers that people used to toss their refuse, ostensibly, to keep a hill from eroding. As we plunged into the gorge, grandmother would encourage us to find old glass bottles, but watch out for snakes and nails! She had a “resale” shop that hosted old bottles and new pottery from Mexico.
Grandmother was the ultimate reuser of everything she had. Nothing seemed to go to waste. I’ve shared her recipe box that had recipes written all over the sides. Everywhere. Every side. Then it was stuffed with recipe cutouts and handwritten notes she and others had made and were constantly sharing.
This is one of my treasures that will never be sold, only shared with the family when it becomes time to move it further down the road of time. My cousin remembers her doing the same thing with prayers – she always reused old shoe boxes! Why throw away a perfect box?! Uh oh! Don’t look in my garage! It’s full of good ol’ things I refuse to toss!
But wait! Maybe it’s my wealth of history items that can sell to someone who can repurpose it!
That’s my new strategy!
Here’s My Thought Today
I do not need to buy new if I follow the slogan making its way around the planet.
Reuse, Recycle, Reduce…and someone has added…Compost.
Before I buy, maybe there’s something I can repurpose and reuse for the need of the moment. Equally, before I toss something to become the trash heap that dots our landscape, perhaps I should recycle – this takes work to meet the needs of the recycle bin! When it comes to reducing, I’m not sure how to do this very well. It’s often revolving around what we buy and the trappings of wrapping for sale and shipping. Some things will never reduce. But there is much out there that can reduce its footprint.
This takes me to my strategy for my library. Before I buy something new, I look for something old that will fill in the gaps. Repurpose, reuse and recycle. Take something you already have and make it new. It takes work!
- I don’t “need” a new bible. There must be 50+ in my office. It may be time to sell some!
- Since I’ve gone electronic in my of my study, those boxes of books should be worth something to someone who still likes to feel the pages turning under their watch gaze.
I’m reminded that Jesus walked around without his scrolls, parchments, or library card. What he “knew” he had “learned,” and he was using and reusing it all the time. It began when he was young. Remember when he was missing, and his parents struggled to find him?
So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
(Luke 2:45-47 NKJV)
At the age of 12, what had he possibly learned whereby he could astonish learned men with his comprehension? He did not need a new book or a new way of learning; he was equipped with all he needed. He learned to make full use of all the knowledge available to him. It was Solomon who said, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
Moving Forward
Maybe you know as much as I know. Maybe one of us knows more! Who knows! If Solomon and Jesus are the ones to comprehend, they did much with what they already had in their hands. Available to them was all they needed. At one point, Paul asked for his books and parchments in the last words of the last letter we knew he wrote. (2 Timothy 4:13) Since he wrote so many letters, started so many congregations, and reached most of the civilized world of the day, we can only surmise that he was asking for his library, as well as unfinished works he still needs to work on.
What’s in your hands? What do you have and what might you need? Is there something you can reuse? Then Do it!
Maybe you need some good study books to advance your theology. I’ve got some for sale. Don’t focus on buying what you will never use, nor what you do not really need. But, if you want an older set of the Pulpit Commentary that helps you understand the Bible better. Just $150.00! Along with a couple of hundred other books! That’s my Reuse, Recycle and Reduce program for the Gurley Household! Waste Not, Want Not.
I’m moving forward? Yep! Today!