.... to care for God's creation 

... to point to God's kingdom values

- share big appliances rather than buy rarely used items.

- repair and use again. rather than buy new (remember the war years!)

- buy second hand, or pass things on to others

- grow your own - cook your own - bake your own - enjoy!

- fast occasionally (it's Biblical!) and give away the money

- check your budget /giving against the needs of the poor, not against what you think you can afford

- keep the heating at 65 F in winter and wear a jumper!

- buy fairly traded products wherever possible

- review your giving regularly - share between local & abroad, church & other needs

- try to support charities which help low paid workers

Be eco- friendly and kind to the world

- use less plastic - politely refuse plastic bags in shops

- make use of the recycling facilities wherever possible

- have a compost bin, let kitchen waste be useful!

- check what wood / paper things are made of before you buy.

- only use a dish-washer occasionally (if you have one)

- use the car less - walk more for local journeys

Be environmentally aware

- pick up litter in the streets - not just your own garden!

- resist planned obsolescence - buy quality things to last

- adopt a project / hobby horse and be better informed.

- take an interest in any local plans for development and have your say, showing real concern for the area.

- do an audit on your home / lifestyle / regular shopping How green are you?

- be careful how much water / electricity / gas you use. (Be imaginative - it can be fun!)

- take a real interest in the relief & development work (Is money used in ways appropriate to the culture & local needs, not creating dependency)

"Most Christians in the west have almost exactly the same standard of living as non-Christians with the same income. They share roughly the same expenditure pattern, except that the extra the non-Christian might spend on alcohol, smoking, betting or other activities, the Christian gives to the Lord's work"

Ron Sider "Rich Christians in an age of hunger" 1977

Most Christians actually give proportionately LESS away, as their income increases. If you have enough to live on, why not INCREASE your giving - 10%, 15% or more.

Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season; grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,