"I Choose..." not "I Can't"
Darren Pries-Klassen
My friends were nearing completion of a small renovation project in the entryway of their home and wanted to replace the old light fixture. After a few fruitless trips to various lighting stores they found one they felt was perfect. The problem was the $1,500 price tag. "We can’t afford that”, they said to the salesman. "Yes, you can.” was his response. Surprised at hearing this they restated that although the fixture was beautiful it was well beyond their price range. The salesman paused briefly, smiled and said, "If it is a priority, you will find a way to afford it”.
Regardless of income all of us have limits when it comes to money. For some, those limitations are such that they are denied even the basic needs of human existence. For others – and probably the vast majority of us reading this – that financial limitation may feel constrictive but upon closer look we realize we have more choice than we care to admit. The issue is not price tags as much as priorities.
Later, my friends concluded that the salesman was right. They did have the cash to purchase the $1,500 light fixture but it would have meant scaling back other parts of the renovation in order to stay within budget. Something they were not prepared to do. Furthermore, my friends were not comfortable with owning a $1,500 light fixture regardless of their renovation budget and income level. What at first appeared to be a case of "we can’t afford this” was actually a case of "we choose to spend money differently”.
When we say things like, "I choose to spend money this or that way” and "buying that product would violate my values” it empowers us. It affirms the choice we have in how we spend or whether to spend. It also recognizes the potential that money has for either the betterment or destruction of our world and the life in it.
Talking about what we can and cannot afford often makes a bigger statement about our values than the size of our wallets. Saying, "I can’t afford . . .” is good if it keeps you from foolish spending but when the same language is used to keep us from being generous and investing in the lives of others and the work of God’s Kingdom it is problematic.
Most of us have far more financial choice than we are willing to recognize. We may not always like the choices we have or they may feel minimal but having financial choice is a lot more than many people have. If the way we use money reflects our values and choices, what are we saying each time we spend or choose not to spend money?
Darren Pries-Klassen is a consultant at the St. Catharine’s, Ontario office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca