Frugality
Summary
The wise and moderate use of resources, maintaining the proper balance between wasteful extravagance and stingy parsimony.
☩Definition and Principle
Frugality is keeping due bounds in expenses—the happy mean between parsimony on the one hand and prodigality on the other. It is neither stinginess that hoards nor extravagance that wastes, but wisdom that manages resources carefully. Christ demonstrated this when He commanded, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost' (John 6:12). Though He had miraculously multiplied the loaves, He taught that waste is never justified.
☩Proverbial Wisdom
Proverbs repeatedly commends frugality. The diligent hunter roasts his game rather than letting it spoil (Proverbs 12:27). A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children (Proverbs 13:22). 'He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich' (Proverbs 21:17). The virtuous woman 'eateth not the bread of idleness' (Proverbs 31:27). The wise see danger and prepare; the simple pass on and suffer (Proverbs 22:3).
☩Biblical Examples
Joseph exemplified frugality on a national scale, storing grain during Egypt's seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine (Genesis 41:48-49, 53-54). The Israelites gathered manna according to each person's need (Exodus 16:17-18, 22-24). Elijah was sustained by small, carefully apportioned provisions—bread and flesh brought by ravens, a widow's last handful of meal (1 Kings 17:5-13). Jesus fed thousands yet instructed His disciples to gather the leftover fragments (Matthew 14:20, 15:37).
