Contentment, Frugality, And The Low Maintenance Life

Are built on common sense, with its roots of logic, reason and experience, all nurtured by God given wisdom. He even promises to supply that nurturing wisdom, without rebuke of our unworthiness of it, to "any" believer who has the faith to ask Him. That promise, in James 1:5-6, is addressed to the people of God.   "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...." Jm.1:5-6.   So the underlying wisdom, which comes from God and supports common sense, logic and reason, is given to those who first see its need, want it, and ask God for it, in faith. It is upon this foundation that God builds the Content, Frugal and the Low Maintenance Life in His people of faith.

Contentment is an attribute which results from the wisdom of focusing on godliness and the things that really matter in life. 
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim.6:6.

In that verse, the Apostle Paul, out of his wisdom, was teaching young Timothy what he, himself, had learned by experience and faith in God.... Paul also passed this wisdom on to the church...

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:11-13.

Contentment grows out of the understanding that security in Christ is far more important than the worldly "things" we want.  
"...Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb.13:5.

Frugality can be a result of greed or of wisdom and contentment.

Frugality does not waste. Wise King Solomon equated slothful laziness to waste. They are equally bad. 

"He also, that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster." Prov.18:9

Jesus illustrated waste as the unthinking, lack of wisdom of a foolish, young, wayward son ...  "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.." Lk.15:13

A few verses later, in Lk.16:1, Jesus continued the thought on waste in an illustration of our responsibility to our Lord and Master, as His stewards, of the things He gives us control over.   "There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted His goods. And He called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward."

  

A steward's first responsibility is to protect or "conserve" what he has management of. The second is to use it to the best advantage. 
"Conserve" is what a Conservative does first.

Considering the above scriptures, it is plain to see how wise Contentment and Frugality lead to a Low Maintenance Life... and a peaceful one. The things God has made you steward over are still His, but you are His manager of them, not their real owner. This includes your very self. The money you earn represents that part of your life, the time, energy, talent, and thought you invested in gaining it. So spend it as wisely as you spend your life for that is what you gave up for it.... the "life" God breathed into your body.  

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price (Jesus): therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor.6:19-20.