Breaking the Idol of Shopping can be a tough realization.
A couple of years ago, I prayed for God to increase my finances when money was tight.
“Lord, if I just had more money, I could afford all the obligations coming up ahead,” I pleaded.
In that quiet moment of prayer, I felt a gentle rebuke from the Lord:
“I have given you raises, promotions, and bonuses. The issue isn’t about what I give you. It is about what you do with what I give you. If I gave you a million dollars, you would find a way to spend a million and one.”
Yikes!
It hit me hard—God had faithfully provided for me, even in miraculous ways at times.
But instead of managing the resources He gave me well, I often spent money on things I didn’t need or that I didn’t truly enjoy.
That’s when I realized my problem wasn’t how much money I had but how I stewarded it.
You might be facing financial challenges, or maybe you’re doing well financially but feel unsatisfied with how you’re spending your money on things that don’t truly fulfill you.
If so, you’re not alone.
The good news is that God’s Word offers wisdom on how we can be better stewards of the resources He’s entrusted to us.
We must first examine our relationship with money.
This will reveal whether we struggle because of genuine financial hardship or making poor decisions that lead to financial ruin.
We live in a time where instant gratification is worshipped.
We laugh at the videos in which the wife has the Amazon driver hide the packages from her husband—and it’s only funny because we relate.
We are also constantly watching what people buy and being influenced to think we need it.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people sharing what they purchase and even reviewing it. I love when people don’t gatekeep the stuff that could truly be useful to my life.
But, when we start buying things not because we need them or because they bring genuine joy but simply because ‘someone else has it,’ we can quickly get into financial trouble.
Most of the items we purchase please us for a moment and then end up in a cluttered closet, where we forget all about them.
My husband and I had considered living a minimalist lifestyle.
We aren’t quite there, but it does make you wonder why we collect so many things. Why do we want so many things?
It reminds me of the verse in Matthew 6 where Jesus says not to store up for yourselves treasure on earth.
Instead, store up treasures in heaven.
If we’re honest, most of us have endless amounts of earthly treasure piled up while rarely thinking about the treasure in heaven.
What if we shifted our focus to these things?
When we buy things we don’t need and quickly stop caring for them, it’s usually for that initial dopamine hit.
According to research done by the Cleveland Clinic, dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, is released not just when we make a purchase but even earlier in the process, such as when browsing or anticipating the item’s arrival.
This creates a cycle of excitement and reward that drives impulse shopping.
Additionally, research shows that stress can trigger cortisol release, leading people to shop as a way to regain control, which can further fuel impulsive purchases(Cleveland Clinic)(Big Think).
To be clear, I love shopping, and it is a good thing.
It’s beautiful to enjoy the things we purchase with our hard-earned money.
But like any good thing, when you begin to idolize it, it becomes dangerous and leads to destruction.
It’s the old saying that a fire under control is excellent for warmth, but it can be destructive if it gets out of control.
I suggest you consider your relationship with shopping.
Do you shop to fill something in you? To get some sort of release? Has this led to financial despair?
Don’t worry, you are not alone. But what can we do about this? How do we turn all of this around?
Here are some practical tips that have helped me curb my impulsive spending, paired with the wisdom of Scripture to guide your heart and actions.
1. Analyze a Week’s Worth of Purchases
Scripture:
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” (Proverbs 21:20 NIV)
Application:
This verse in Proverbs emphasizes that we must not be foolish about the provisions the Lord gives us.
We shouldn’t gulp them down but be wise in stewarding them, allowing them to last over time.
One way we can do this is by recognizing patterns in our spending to determine which path we are headed toward.
Analyzing a week’s worth of purchases is an excellent way to reflect on and recognize one’s relationship with money.
To do this, you will need to take an honest look at all your purchases from one week. That means all, even if you use several accounts, credit cards, or cash.
I love using Rocket Money to track my spending across all accounts, but you can use a notebook, spreadsheet, or whatever works best for you.
Once you’ve listed them, ask yourself how these purchases make you feel.
Do you feel regretful or guilty, or do you feel like you have handled your provisions well?
Pay attention to these emotions and ask yourself why you feel this way.
Are there patterns in your spending that reflect deeper needs or impulses?
I suggest you journal your feelings regarding that week’s worth of spending.
Again, all shopping isn’t bad. Like the next woman, I enjoy purchasing a new pair of jeans or shoes.
If we’re being honest, as moms, we usually spend on ourselves last anyway.
But if we spend well, there will be enough to purchase necessities and enjoy our hard-earned money.
Once you have taken inventory of your spending and journaled the emotions behind your spending, you can set goals for the coming week.
What would it look like for next week’s purchases to make you feel accomplished and in control of your money and shopping habits?
Move toward achieving these goals, understanding you will not do it perfectly, but you will see improvement and start creating a healthy relationship with your finances.
2. Shop Online for Curbside Pick-Up
Scripture:
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28 NIV)
Application:
This scripture compares a person with no self control to a city whose walls are broken.
In ancient times, cities had walls as their defense against their enemies.
When a person doesn’t have self control defense.
When we apply this to bad shopping habits we can see all the times we put ourselves in harms way by going to Target or the grocery store seeing all these incredible things that catch our attention.
Stores are set up in a way that cause customers to spend more by the way they shelve items to the music they play.
Again, this all ties in to your mood and getting that dopamine hit.
One good thing that came out of Covid times was I began doing curbside pickup.
Grocery stores aren’t the only ones offering curbside pick up. Now, you can do curbside pick up for beauty stores, bookshops, and most retail shops.
While, yes they do mark up some of the prices a bit, overall I found I was spending less by sticking to only what I needed by not perusing the isles.
Also, we are less likely to put something back when we are in store opposed to seeing that final cart price online and deciding we really don’t need three different varieties of cookies.
By choosing curbside pickup, you’re taking intentional steps to guard your heart and mind against unnecessary temptations.
Just as the walls of a city offer protection, this practice helps build healthy boundaries in your shopping habits, allowing you to be more disciplined and wise with your spending.
It’s a simple but effective way to exercise self-control and ensure that your purchases align with your true needs rather than impulse.
Little by little, these small decisions can help you develop a more mindful and God-honoring relationship with money.
3. Make Less Frequent Amazon Purchases
Scripture:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
Application:
Let’s talk about Amazon. Yes, I felt it needed it’s own devoted section!
Amazon makes it easy to buy things at the click of a button, but limiting your purchases helps you break free from the cycle of instant gratification.
Being content is the major key here.
Amazon Prime has revolutionized shopping, offering both convenience and near-instant access to what we want.
But that convenience can also feed into the modern obsession with immediate satisfaction.
With one-click purchases and two-day shipping, it’s easy to fall into the trap of retail therapy without even leaving your home.
I used to have Amazon packages arriving constantly, barely taking the time to enjoy one thing before ordering the next.
Reflecting on that time, I realized I was trying to fill something deeper inside me with material things.
Learning to limit these purchases has helped me focus on what truly matters and has brought me closer to finding contentment in God rather than in things.
Pausing before making a purchase is a powerful way to practice self-control and seek contentment in God’s provision.
Instead of relying on instant gratification, take time to reflect on whether you truly need the item or if you’re seeking fulfillment in things rather than in Christ.
By making fewer, more intentional purchases, you can break free from the cycle of constant consumption and experience the peace that comes from trusting that God will meet your needs.
Remember, true contentment isn’t found in the speed or ease of delivery—it’s found in the assurance that God is always with you, providing exactly what you need in His perfect timing.
4. Write a List of Things You Want, and Wait
Scripture:
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV)
Application:
A diligent person carefully considers their actions and follows a plan, while a hasty person acts impulsively, without much thought.
When it comes to spending, acting without a plan can quickly lead to squandering the resources God has entrusted to us.
It’s important to be thoughtful with our purchases—not as a hindrance, but as a way of ensuring that we’re spending on things that truly matter.
After all, we exchange our time for money, and time is one of the most valuable resources we have.
Too often, we spend that hard-earned money on things we later regret.
One effective practice is to write down the things you want to buy, but don’t purchase them immediately.
For smaller items, wait two weeks; for larger items, wait at least a month.
This waiting period helps you avoid impulsive decisions, especially when shopping online, like on Amazon, where instant gratification is only a click away.
By intentionally waiting, you break the habit of seeking that dopamine rush we discussed earlier—the excitement of something new arriving on your doorstep.
By practicing patience and intentionality, you give yourself space to consider if a purchase aligns with your long-term goals and values, rather than seeking immediate satisfaction.
In doing so, you cultivate a mindset of contentment and diligence, becoming a better steward of the resources God has provided.
5. Go to Scripture When You Know Your Impulse Is Coming
Scripture:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NIV)
Application:
When you feel the urge to make an impulsive purchase, turn to Scripture instead.
By grounding yourself in God’s Word, you’ll be reminded that your true treasure is in heaven, not in material things.
Let God’s wisdom guide you away from impulsive desires and help you cultivate a heart that seeks after eternal value.
One passage that’s especially helpful when you feel the pull of an unnecessary or large purchase is 1 Timothy 6:6-8: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
These verses remind us to be content with what we have and to thoughtfully consider what is truly important.
During my own journey of overcoming impulsive shopping, one verse that helped me immensely was Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
I would repeat this simple but powerful truth whenever I felt the temptation to shop impulsively, reminding myself that with the Lord as my shepherd, I have everything I need.
Through this process, I realized that shopping had become an idol for me. But as I leaned on Scripture, God helped me break free from the constant desire for something new.
Now, I can shop with confidence, knowing I’m being thoughtful about my purchases. I may still want things, but I no longer feel the need to have everything I want.
Contentment is something I’m growing in, and I’ve learned that whether I have a lot or a little, true satisfaction comes from God alone.
Investing Wisely: Stewarding for the Future
Financial stewardship isn’t just about cutting back on spending—it’s about investing what God gives you in a way that honors Him.
This could mean building savings, giving generously to those in need, or making thoughtful investments for the future.
Here’s a Biblical perspective on how to use your finances wisely:
6. Invest in God’s Kingdom
Parable of the Talents:
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus tells the story of a master who entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money while he is away.
Two of the servants invest wisely, multiplying what they were given, while the third buries his talent in fear and returns only what he received.
The master praises the first two for their faithfulness and diligence but rebukes the third for his lack of stewardship.
Application:
When we view this parable through the lens of financial stewardship, it teaches us that God expects us to wisely use and multiply the resources He’s given us, including our finances.
Just as the servants were entrusted with talents, we are entrusted with money, time, and opportunities.
Faithful stewardship means investing these resources with intentionality and purpose—whether through saving for the future, giving generously, or making thoughtful financial decisions that honor God.
Rather than splurging on things that satisfy momentarily, consider how your financial decisions can have eternal impact.
When we invest in God’s Kingdom, we’re not only planning for our own future but also contributing to something much greater.
Trust that as you invest wisely and give generously, God will provide.
Just as in the parable, those who use what they’ve been given faithfully will see it grow and bear fruit.
True abundance comes from stewarding God’s resources with diligence, generosity, and a heart that seeks to honor Him.
God’s provision in our lives is constant. He calls us to be wise stewards of the blessings He’s given us—whether in times of financial abundance or struggle.
By practicing patience, discipline, and self-control, we can honor Him with our finances and find contentment in His faithful care.
Remember, God isn’t just concerned with how much we have but with how we manage what He’s entrusted to us. The Lord is our provider, but we must be good stewards.
Whether it’s resisting the temptation to spend impulsively or investing for the future, let’s seek His guidance in every financial decision.
I hope these practical tips and Biblical principles help you grow in financial stewardship.
Let’s continue to trust in God’s provision, knowing that He will always be our source of peace, contentment, and blessing.
Take time this week to reflect on your spending habits.
Commit to trying one of these principles, whether it’s analyzing a week’s worth of purchases or waiting before buying something.
Trust God to guide you in your financial decisions as you grow in wise stewardship.
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