SHOPPING
SABBATICAL

Topics: Community; Finances; Godliness; Growth; Holiness; Materialism; Renewal; Responsibility; Sacrifice; Sanctification; Self-control; Thankfulness

References: Proverbs 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 6:19–21, 24; 16:26; 19:23; Mark 4:19; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5

What would it be like to go through an entire year without purchasing anything new? That’s the question a small West Coast group of environmental activists asked themselves a year ago.

In January 2006, ten friends declared a sabbatical from American consumerism. The Compact, as they titled their agreement—bound them in a mutual pledge to abstain from shopping sprees. Other than food, essential toiletries, underwear, and items for health and safety, the friends purchased virtually nothing new.

They learned much about themselves in the process. After going through a time of “retail withdrawal,” they were amazed at how the items they needed just “showed up” as they shared and interacted with others. Rachel Kesel, twenty-six, says, “I found a lot of times there were things I thought I needed that I didn’t need that much.” Rediscovering the library and paying down credit cards were two unexpected dividends. John Perry, forty-two, says one of the by-products of the Compact is having a different relationship with things. “I appreciate the stuff I have more,” he says. He has developed a knack for fixing things rather than replacing them with new.

The group enjoyed the freedom of their Compact so much that they chose to renew their pledges for 2007.

—Associated Press, “Group Went on Shopping Sabbatical in ’06,” Houston Chronicle (January 3, 2007)