So What's This "Abundant Living"
Stuff All About?

Before I tell you what is it, let me start by telling you what it definitely isn’t. Several years ago, my husband, Michael, and I both had comfortable jobs with good companies. As a young couple married only a short time, you could say we were financially blessed.

The blessing, however, did not come without a price. We worked long hours. We experienced a great deal of stress at work. We seemed never to have enough time together. When we were together, our time was usually tainted by the fact that one of us (usually me) was tired and cranky from the stresses and strains and never-ending demands of his or her job.

We were comfortable but not complete. Was this what life was supposed to be about? Was this treadmill existence all we had to look forward to for the next 35 years? Did we have to wait until we retired from our jobs to begin really living and enjoying our lives together?

To make a long story short, we had a chance to do something that most people would consider radical. We left the comfort of our jobs to start a home-based business. It was a scary move and times were lean in the beginning, but now, seven years later, we won’t trade the life we have together for anything.

What we lost in income, we gained in inner peace and a feeling of control over our lives. What we lost in material pleasures, we more than gained in quality time together and richness in our spiritual and family relationships. Sure, we could have a bigger home, newer cars, and more money in the bank if we’d stayed in our jobs, but those things (and that’s all they are to us) would come at a price we’re not willing to pay at this stage in our lives.

So what is abundant living? In John 10:10, Jesus said He came that his followers might have life, and have it abundantly. I believe this abundant life Jesus referred to encompasses many things:

Responsible spending and financial peace of mind
Good stewardship of our money, time, talent, and environment
Shunning materialism and embracing richness in relationships
A simplified, Christ-like lifestyle with an emphasis on spiritual growth and service
Full appreciation and enjoyment of each of the many blessings we have been given

Throughout the 90s, simple living has been a hot trend. I hope, though, that a simplified, focusing-in-on-what’s-most-important style of living was not just a phase that many tried for a while but then outgrew. The tenets of the simple living philosophy are basic biblical principles that I believe are for everyone. And the beauty of following these principles is that doing so also leads to the abundant life Jesus said He came to bring.

Maybe you and your spouse enjoy having dual careers and an upwardly mobile lifestyle. I am not criticizing anyone who has carefully (and prayerfully) counted the costs of his or her life choices. My point is simply this: many people have counted the cost and found, like we did, that the price is too high. They are looking for a way out but wonder how it can be done. My word to these people is that there are other options. Michael and I are living proof that there is life beyond the corporate treadmill. Not only is there life, but we believe it’s the best life we could possibly choose.

© Nancy Twigg, 2000