Living on one spouse’s salary and the lower one at that? Sounds crazy but that is exactly what Dr Tan Lai Yong and his wife, Lay Chin, did to give them the flexibility to leave any job if they had to. He also believes that slaving for years to buy a $2 million house is not worthwhile.

Or what about the Singaporean family with a monthly income of S$3,000 that chooses to forgo luxuries like holidays so that they can afford to own a car?

I was taken aback when I read about the lifestyles that these two families had opted for, especially that of the Tans. Choosing to live below one’s means runs counter to what most of us do. Personally, my spending has always risen with each pay increment I received – I bought nicer clothes, ate better food, went for more holidays.

These families made uncommon choices in an age where many are busy keeping up with the Joneses. These debts or wants inevitably dictate how we live, as we need to ensure we have sufficient funds to service those monthly loan repayments.

This blind pursuit has seen unsecured debt surge in Singapore, prompting authorities to tighten unsecured credit limit for those heavily in debt. 

Good stewardship

Have you ever committed a big investment decision to God? Should you buy that house? That car? Or that luxury item that you have been eyeing for a while?

I did. I had grand plans — buy my very own place when I hit 35, move my parents in with me, then rent out their existing place. An all-round good idea as that would give my parents recurring income, which would ease my burden as an only child.

Being the kiasu Singaporean, I started looking for a suitable place a year before I even hit 35. I met property agents, viewed a potential unit, got advice from seasoned property buyers and worked out the sums with my financial planner.

But when I asked God what He thought a couple of months before my 35th birthday, the answer was no. Don’t proceed. Was I puzzled by that answer? To be honest, I was.

After all, aren’t we called to be good stewards of what He has given to us, as told in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25? Besides giving my tithes and offerings, aren’t I supposed to invest it wisely too?

All that is true. But what made me re-evaluate my decision was that God had reignited my dormant heart for missions. Was it worthwhile to miss His timing for my earthly assignment due to the burden of having to service a housing mortgage?

Perhaps you are like my mum – extremely prudent with money, squirrelling a sizeable portion away for a rainy day. Having grown up in post-World War 2 Malaysia, where having meat was considered a luxury and savoured only on special occasions, she started working in her early teens to support her siblings.

The only risky investment she would make was to put her hard-earned savings in fixed deposits. She viewed savings as a safety net, an even surer bet than insurance.

As I reflected on how my mum and I viewed money, God reminded me of Matthew 6:19-21, where we are told not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Amplified Bible expands on the definition of “heart” with “your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centres”.

As I examined my own heart, I knew I would not want to miss out on God’s call on my life based on a housing mortgage or the size of my savings account.

I made a life decision, when I was a teen, to give my life to Christ. To do whatever He has called me to do. That decision now dictates the choices I make and while that may seem foolish in the eyes of the world, I have the freedom to go and do as the Lord directs.

“Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?”
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11