socially responsible living based on his understanding of a Christian’s one vocation as “the care and redemp- tion of all that God has made.” Tat “applies to every aspect of life: how I am at


work, with my family, in my marriage, as a member of my church,” he said. “How I steward resources, how I function as a citizen all are grounded in this one


vocation. We are stewards of the giſts given to us, with lots of room for novelty and creativity.” Socially respon-


sible indeed. 


‘As people of faith, we know we are called to do justice for all, which includes that we be intentional in our care of our natural world.’


stipends reinforced our commitment to carefully consider what to buy as well as the effects of our purchases. While others


‘Fewer things’ is


thought our living “simply” with fewer material goods was a sacrifice, we discovered it was an opportunity for reflection and a


way to experience God’s grace. Tat’s right:


whelming just to think about. We must go back to Luther, who points us to God’s


giſt of grace. He encourages us—mired in sin and unable to rescue ourselves—to depend on God’s grace. God’s grace doesn’t suddenly make us perfect. Rather,


God’s grace justifies us in the midst of our sin and gives us courage to keep striving to do better. Luther helps us understand that we need not be paralyzed by our failures. God gives us grace that moves us to respond to our neighbor in love.


Let me give you a personal example Aſter graduating from college I served with Lutheran Volunteer Corps, which helps participants “explore their spirituality while working for social justice, living in intentional com- munity with other volunteers, and prac- ticing sustainability in all aspects of their lives.” I lived with five other volunteers in inner-city Minneapo- lis. Each of us served a different nonprofit that was working to address the needs of others. Our modest


While others thought our living ‘simply’ with fewer material goods was a sacri- fice, we discovered it was an opportunity for reflection and a way to experience God’s grace.


Living with fewer things is an opportunity for those living in a land of abundance. “Fewer things” is still much more than enough.


Tose things my students said make for a meaningful life? Strong family relationships, close friends, meaning- ful work, faith in God, a sense that they are contributing to the world? None of these require an abundance of material possessions. Choosing to live life intentionally, purchasing fewer


things and then buying from companies with ethical practices whose workers have the opportunity to live life fully, spending time with family and friends rather than working to pay off our most recent purchase (which may already have found its way to the back of the garage or closet)—all of these are ways to build a more meaningful life. Sometimes we need to be reminded of what is really


important and then dare to live out our core values. Sin is not only unkindness to those around us but also unrecognized harm to those whom we may never meet. Despite our sin and failures, we can choose to live dif- ferently—and more meaningfully. God’s grace really does give us the opportunity to do just that. 


still much more than enough.


Author bio: Rehwaldt is a professor of religion at Midland University, Fremont, Neb.


May 2015 21


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