i'm just sitting at a starbucks amazed at the spending habits of suburban Americans. Within three-blocks there are four Starbucks coffee shops in our city. i'm at the fifth one about two miles away. With the average drink price of about $3.00 that is a lot of money. My thinking was piqued by the comments of a librarian at a local lending library where i borrow classic movies on DVD.
She mentioned that my $1.95 fine for late items is less than the cost of an Americano. She then proceeded to tell me that she spends an average of $9.00 a day on coffee drinks for her and her husband. Think about it. In America, people can afford $90.00 a month on the convince of espresso drinks. i'd bet the average suburban person drinks two or three espresso drinks a week. That is at least $30.00 a month depending on your drink. My friends spend an average of $30- 45 dollars a month. (i just overheard a barista say that one gentleman comes in three to four times a day.)
Just think of what a large group of us could do if we fasted one or two drinks a week and used that money to help the less fortunate. Each person could support a child through World Vision and still enjoy a Mocha at least once a week. WOW! And people complain about not having enough money. Around here we spend enough to support four Starbucks in three blocks!
This is downright scary! How much of God's resources do we waste like this? Sure we are comfortable but at what cost? i'm skipping my mocha today and drinking a glass of water. This is a not guilt folks, it is an experiment in readjusting priorities. i wonder how much i'll save in a one-month period? i'm not sure what to do with the cash but i'm sure i can find a good place to donate it.
Fasting an espresso to help others . . . WLYAS!
When you stop to think about it, it's really pretty amazing how often our flesh rises up and says "I want, I need, I deserve, I demand, I will..."
Isn't our flesh supposed to be "dead"? Why does it boss us around so easily? Could we be in the midst of a deeprooted conflict of faith, and not even know it? We're supposed to put our faith in God and listen to his voice, but so often we seem to have much more faith in our flesh, and not only listen to it, but let it boss us around!
Posted by: Bruce | 15 September 2004 at 05:26 AM
scott is not about to give up tim horton's but he has a huge heart and gives freely to those in need.
Posted by: teri | 17 September 2004 at 01:36 PM