#268 thrift

THRIFT

is inscribed on a polished block of marble in the center of Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Built during the Great Depression, this building is a monument to the wealth and power of John D. Rockefeller —

“Thrift is essential to well-ordered living.”

 

Sir John M. Templeton (1912-2008) wrote:

“The qualities that distinguish

thriftiness from mere cheapness

are noteworthy.

Thrift is part of wisdom.

Thrift and gratitude,

thrift and ethical standards, and

thrift and hard work

all go hand in hand.

The Bible, literature, poetry, and philosophy,

as well as examples from daily life and most faith traditions,

demonstrate that thrift is

more than just understanding the bottom line.

Indeed thrift is

part of a religious and cultural understanding of

how we use our time, our talents, and our resources.

As inherently virtuous as thrifty living is,

its capacity for leading to deep joy is severely limited

if its goals are merely self-serving.

On the other hand, when thrift is combined with the virtue of generosity,

when empathy opens the doors for channeling the thriftiness to generosity,

the potential for good is greatly magnified.”