Josh and Abbi, who learned early in their marriage to live on a meager income, share their transformative journey into minimalism and generosity. They discuss how frugality shaped their financial priorities, leading to a budget that prioritizes helping others. Their reflections reveal the joy of teaching their children about kindness through practical experiences. The couple emphasizes that the true fulfillment comes from generous giving rather than accumulating material possessions, fostering happiness and contentment for themselves and their family.
Josh and Abbi's early experience of living with limited resources taught them the essential value of frugality and intentional financial allocation.
They actively involve their children in generosity practices, fostering empathy and understanding the importance of giving through hands-on activities.
Deep dives
The Journey of Generosity
The Porters' journey into practicing generosity was profoundly influenced by their early experiences of living with very limited resources. Having survived for years on a minimal income, they developed a strong sense of frugality that persisted even when their financial situation improved. This shift allowed them to reflect critically on their newfound excess, as they realized that it was vital to be intentional about how they allocated their finances. Their first step into structured generosity came from the realization that basic necessities do not encompass all their spending, leading to the creation of a 'generosity line' in their budget.
Involving Children in Generosity
The Porters emphasized the importance of teaching their children about generosity, highlighting how children are not naturally inclined to share. They engage their kids in activities like selecting gifts for underprivileged children, allowing their children to experience the joy of giving firsthand. This interactive process not only cultivates empathy but also helps their kids understand the significance of their contributions to others. An impactful moment occurred when their young son grasped the concept of a toy drive, eagerly participating in selecting a toy for another child and experiencing the fulfillment that comes with giving.
Practicing Accountability and Contentment
To maintain a lifestyle of simplicity and generosity, the Porters established accountability systems within their family. They refrain from making personal purchases spontaneously and instead rely on an agreement about when and how to spend money on themselves. This approach helps them resist the pull of materialism and encourages them to focus on giving rather than accumulating. The act of practicing generosity repeatedly allows them to reinforce the understanding that true joy arises not from receiving, but from the act of giving and sharing with others.
Josh and Abbi learned early on in marriage to live on a meager income – just enough to cover essential needs, and not much else. Today they consider it a gift, because it taught them how little they really needed. When they did make enough for a small surplus and sensed the pull of materialism, they incorporated practices into their lives to maintain radical generosity. The result has been joy and contentment, both for themselves and for their children.
This podcast accompanies the Generosity Practice, a four-session experience designed to help integrate generosity into your community. Learn more at practicingtheway.org/generosity. Thanks to The Circle and other givers, all our resources are free. To learn more about The Circle, visit practicingtheway.org/give. To run a Practice with your church or small group, visit practicingtheway.org/resources.
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