From Indulgent to "Outdulgent"

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 Graham Kerr became a household name when his cooking show, The Galloping Gourmet, emerged as an international success in the 1960s and 1970s. With achievement and acclaim came money, of course, and Graham and his wife, Treena, were indulgent in purchasing the types of goods and gadgets wealth can buy. But at some point along the way, Graham and his wife realized that God had placed them here for much greater purposes. They knew they needed to live more simply. As if their own convictions about this weren't enough, Treena began experiencing a series of major health episodes, including a heart attack, a stroke, the onset of diabetes, and raging hypertension. God was calling them to change, not just their material footprint, but their physical lifestyle as well. One of the stark realities of these health conditions, naturally, was the need to make changes in their eating habits. They would be consuming much less now and spending much less on their grocery bill. Then the thought struck them, What if we could take our savings from not eating these things that once harmed us and turn that money into provision for someone else? So over the course of the last 20 years, the Kerrs have been calculating the money they've saved by foregoing unhealthy choices in their food budget and have redirected that money into needy areas and causes. They have been the first beneficiaries of their fit lifestyle, but those who have been helped through their generous, ongoing gifts have made it a double blessing. Instead of living indulgent lifestyles, Graham and Treena have become, to borrow their own term, "outdulgent." Please post a comment below or send me an email at curtis.songer@gmail.com