Tithe Your Time

"Yeah. I know we can't do everything to solve all of the problems of the world, but it does seem like we can do something more..."

This was the end of a long conversation I had with one of my children about the weight of the world and how to make a difference in it. It came at an opportune moment as we stand at the crossroads of our next fourth quarter experiment.

Photo Credit

Each previous experiment brought life altering perspective and semi-lasting change to the way we view the world around us. I say semi-lasting because with each experiment we had things that carried over into the rest of our lives and routines, and we had areas where our commitment faltered and requires a recommit. Here's a rough recap.

1. No More Grocery Shopping - October 2008
Experiment Parameters: During this experiment we were at the height of our financial ladder and decided it would be good to start preparing for a rainy day. We went almost six weeks without going to the grocery store and saved $1000 in our budget just by not going to the store, eating out, spending gas and time away, etc.

Carryovers: a)my aversion to going to the grocery store, b) my delight at finding local producers that don't really sell in grocery stores, i.e. bountiful baskets and farmers markets, and c) our use of a pretty substantial basement food storage. 

Recommittals: AVOID the grocery store. More to come on what this will look like this time around.

2.Buy Nothing New - October 2009
Experiment Parameters:This experiment came during our year of un/self/under-employment. This was the year we bought NOTHING new for christmas. We shopped everything second hand, home made gifts and got creative and avoided the whole holiday rat-race altogether. As stressful as that year was, the holiday season was so peaceful. We got to Christmas and Gordon was working for a classy outfit that didn't believe in paying their executives over the holiday season. Thankfully, we had chosen this experiment before we realized we wouldn't get a pay check until January.

Carryovers: We always have home made things for the holidays.

Recommittals: Buy less stuff in general, especially during the holidays. Get more creative about second hand and repurposed items.

One of my best, "nothing new" finds - a bunch of Bionicles in a bag at a thrift store,

 enough to build at least dozen guys, all for $3

 

3. October 2010 - We sort of took the year off. I think I was tired.

4. Live On What You Give - October 2011
Experiment Parameters: This was our best experiment yet. We all learned a lot about giving to those in need and living on less than we think we need. We cut our grocery budget in HALF. We went from spending over $600/month on groceries to about $300, helped people around us, connected with what it is to live on less-than-food stamps at our dinner table, and witnessed 10 major and minor miracles. We had enough and to spare. We received A LOT more than we gave.

Carryovers: We kept our level of giving where it was during the experiment for another several months beyond and increased it again when we got a better job.

Recommittals: We need to LIVE on what we give again. While we are living within our means, we could really do better, especially on discretionary funds that get spent on food.

Hoping for more of the same from this year's experiment,  I went to bed that night pondering the points made in the conversation, particularly the end, and prayed for inspiration on what to do next. I woke with these words in my mind.

"Tithe your time."

What do you think of when you hear those words?