Ever notice how happiness seems to come with a receipt these days? We chase the next big purchase, the next upgrade, the next latte, hoping it’ll spark that feel-good moment. It’s easy to believe joy is something we have to buy. But what if that’s the biggest lie we’ve been sold? What if the richest joys in life don’t cost a thing—and never did? Can I Find Real Joy Without Spending Money?—the answer might just surprise you.
Check out the full podcast episode here
Ever feel like the best moments in life come with a price tag? I mean, we bust out our wallets for dinners, streaming, and retail therapy, right? But hold up—what if I told you that true joy doesn’t cost a dime? That’s the vibe we’re diving into today! It’s all about peeling back those layers of consumerism to find joy in the simple, free things life has to offer. We’re talking about how to break the cycle of spending to feel good, and instead, discover joy that’s rooted in faith, relationships, and gratitude. You heard me—joy isn’t a product you can buy; it’s a gift from God, waiting for you to unwrap it! So, grab a cup of Joe and get comfy as we explore how joy thrives in the little things, like a peaceful walk, a good book, or a heartfelt chat with a friend. By the end, I’ll challenge you to list out three joyful moments that won’t hit your wallet, and trust me, it’s gonna hit home in the best way. Let’s get ready to savor those no-cost joys and reshape our perspectives!
Takeaways:
- Finding joy doesn't require cash; it's often found in the simple things around us.
- Real happiness isn't about spending money, but about appreciating life's free gifts.
- Joy is a gift from God, not something to be bought or earned through material things.
- To truly experience joy, we need to slow down and savor the moments we have.
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Episode Transcript
Does it ever feel like everygood time comes with a price tag?
Those dinners out, thosestreaming subscriptions, that shopping
to feel better. But what ifreal joy can't be bought? What if
it's found in somethingdeeper, something quieter and something
that is completely free? Well,stick with me today because I'm going
(00:20):
to share how to find joy thatmoney can't buy. This is Financially
Confident Christian. Yourdaily dose of gospel grounded insight
and faith driven tips to helpyou break the cycle cycle of financial
shame with confidence. Heythere. Welcome back to Financially
Confident Christian. I'm Ralphand I am glad we're together again
(00:40):
today. As you know, this isthe show where we ask that transformational
question, how can I become afinancially confident Christian?
And now we're back in ourseries beyond the Budget, trying
to find ways to liveintentionally. Now yesterday we talked
about how to adapt your planwhen life changes. You know, when
you get those curve balls. Soif you missed it, going to encourage
(01:01):
you to check it out. And todaywe're going to talk about something
we all long for, joy. And moreimportantly, how to find it without
spending a dime. That's right.You heard me right. You better listen
closely. Think about it for asecond. You've had a hard day. You're
tired, you just want tounwind. So what do you do? You start
(01:21):
to scroll, maybe you ordersomething, you grab some takeout,
you hit that button buy nowbutton and it feels good for a moment.
But then we feel that regret.We start to feel that budget guilt
and worst of all,unfortunately of all, emptiness.
(01:44):
Because friend, you're stuckin a cycle spend to feel. And when
you're honest with yourself,deep down honest with yourself, it
really doesn't satisfy. Andhere's a truth bomb to all truth
bombs. And the joy you'relooking for, hear me on this, it's
(02:09):
not in that purchase. See,here's the thing. I want you to understand
and I want you to hear me loudand clear on this. Joy is not a product.
I want to say that again. Joyis not a product. Okay, Ralph, what
is it? Here's what it is. It'sa gift from God. Let's look at the
book of Proverbs, chapter 15,verse 17. It says this. Better a
(02:33):
small serving of vegetableswith love than a fatted calf with
hatred. Small serving ofvegetables with love. What is it
talking about love? Let's lookat Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 1,
and adds this. Better a drycrust with peace and quiet. Then
a house full of feasting withstrife. Dry crust Peace, house full
(02:59):
of feasting, strife. And Paulreminds us even from a prison cell.
Think about that for a second.Here is Paul in prison. That joy
isn't circumstantial. Look atthe book of Philippians, chapter
4, verses 11 to 13, one of myfavorite verses of the Bible. I have
learned to be content whateverthe circumstances. I know what it
(03:24):
is to be in need and I knowwhat it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of beingcontent in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want.
And I love this part of theverse. I can do all things through
him who gives me strength. Ican do all things through him who
(03:48):
gives me strength. That's it.See, joy is spiritual. It's found
in peace, it's found inpresence, it's found in beauty, it's
found in rest. It's found inrelationships. And yes, it's found
in gratitude. And guess what?You're listening right now. It doesn't
cost a thing. So now you'resaying, Ralph, how do we get to this
(04:14):
mindset? What can we do? Well,here's the solution. You've got to
cultivate awareness andgratitude for the no cost joys in
your life and prioritize thosethings over reflective spending.
Here's your one action stepfor today. Here's what you need to
do. Name three soul fulfillingjoys that cost you nothing. Just
(04:35):
take a moment. Think aboutsimple things that lift your spirit.
Those things that the kind ofjoy that money just can't buy. I'm
going to give you someexamples of some soul refreshing
examples. Maybe a sunrise walkthrough the woods, breathing in the
stillness. Maybe for you it'slosing yourself in a chapter of a
(04:56):
good book. Or journaling yourprayers with a cup of coffee by your
side. Hey, maybe it's singingalong with worship music while doing
the dishes. A game night withfamily filled with laughter. Maybe
it's that heart to heartconversation with someone who really
gets you. Or maybe 10 minuteswith God and no agenda, just present
(05:18):
you and him. And I just wantto encourage you right now. Write
down your top three. What arethose things for you? And then I
want you to just choose one,just one, and schedule it. Put it
on your calendar like ameeting that you can't cancel. Then
guard it, honor it. Don't letit get swallowed up by the busy.
See, that's the key. Pick one,just one, and schedule it. Put it
(05:40):
on your calendar. You will notcancel this. Guard it, honor it.
And then as you do it, don'tjust do it. You know, Nike has this
thing. Just do it. That's notwhat I'm saying. Ralph's not saying
that. Ralph is saying savorit. See, when the moment comes, I
want you to slow down. Ourlives are so hectic. Take this minute
(06:03):
and just slow down and take itin like a feast. Look at the colors
around you. Feel the textures.The breeze on your face. The pages
of that book. The warmth.Listen to the sounds. The sounds
of nature, or that. Thelaughter of a child or that stillness.
(06:24):
And whisper a simple prayer.Thank you, Lord. Just thank you,
Lord. And let that linger. Letit restore you. Because I'm going
to tell you right now, friend,this will break that spend to feel
better cycle. It's going torewire your heart towards peace and
presence. It's going to reducethat financial pressure. And it helps
(06:47):
you live a full life with lessgratitude, contentment. Let's pray
together. Father God, we thankyou for the abundance of joy in the
simple, in those beautifulthings you've already given us, Lord.
It didn't cost us a dime. Andwe confess right now, Lord, that
(07:09):
we often look for satisfactionin stuff. We think we can buy joy,
Lord. And when we do, all wefind is emptiness. We chase joy through
spending, Lord, and we forgetto see the blessings that are all
around us. So, Lord, rightnow, right at this moment, we ask
that you would open our eyes,Lord. Slow us down, Lord. Help us
(07:31):
to be still. Help us to savorthe gifts of peace and the gifts
of presence and the gifts ofthe people you've put into our lives,
Lord. Make us content, Lord.Fill us with gratitude and help us
live life with joyfulsimplicity. And we ask this in true
(07:52):
humility, Lord. We ask this inconfidence. In Jesus name, Amen.
Friend, listen to me rightnow. Stop whatever you're doing and
just take 30 seconds andlisten to what I'm getting ready
to say. You don't have to buyjoy. It took me a long time to understand
that. I tried buying it witheverything I could think of. Cars,
(08:14):
houses, vacation homes,jewelry. If you've listened to my
show, you know where I'vebeen. But here's the truth that you
need to hear today. You don'thave to buy joy. You just have to
receive it. It's a gift fromGod. It's all around you. So this
week, I'm just challengingyou. Choose one simple joy. Put it
(08:36):
on the calendar. If you haveto schedule it, honor it, guard it,
and then savor it. Just savorit. Take in the colors Take in the
sounds, Take in the feelingsall around you, because that's true
joy, and that's a gift fromGod, and there's nothing you could
do to earn it. It's a gift toyou. And while we're talking about
(08:59):
gifts, I want to encourage youright now to share this show. Maybe
you're like, Ralph, man, thisis a great show. I'm really enjoying
it. I'm really getting somebenefit from it. Well, I want to
encourage you to share it withsomebody who maybe needs that lift.
Maybe there's somebody you'rethinking of right now, and you're
thinking, Ralph, man, they'rereally struggling. And maybe it's
not just their finance.They're just struggling with a lack
(09:21):
of hope, a lack of thebusyness going on all around them.
And maybe just send them atext message or send them an email
and say, hey, listen, I'mgonna send you a link to a show.
I'm gonna send you a link to awebsite, and I just want to encourage
you to check this out. Sendthem to financiallyconfidentchristian.com
because, listen, that's a giftthat you can give. You might be able
to put some joy in someone'slife just by sharing the show. Now,
(09:45):
I hope you join me tomorrow,because we're going to have a powerful
reminder that your confidencecomes from Christ, not just your
cash flow. Hey, I've stackedthem up together the last two days.
This is all about mindset. Youdon't want to miss that show. So
until then, friend, I'm goingto encourage you to stay grateful,
stay grounded, and truly stayfinancially confident. You got this?
(10:09):
I have confidence in you, haveconfidence in yourself. God bless
you. And you have a joyful dayand enjoy all of the blessings around
you that don't cost you anything.
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