Need Something? Should You Borrow or Barter Before Buying?
When you need something, is your first instinct to buy it? In this episode of Ask Ralph , Ralph explores the heart of biblical stewardship through three practical options: borrowing, bartering, and buying. Whether it’s a power tool for a weekend project, a serving dish for a gathering, or a book for research, our culture often tells us to hit “buy now.” But Scripture and community invite us into something better—faithful, creative resourcefulness. If you’re striving to spend wisely, reduce clutter, and deepen relationships, this episode will challenge you to borrow or barter before buying.
Check out the full podcast episode here
You’ll learn why these options aren’t just frugal—they’re deeply rooted in biblical principles like humility, generosity, and interdependence. Ralph shares modern ways to connect with neighbors, church members, and local communities to save money while strengthening bonds. From local libraries of things to online sharing groups, this episode offers fresh, faithful strategies to live below your means without sacrificing your needs. Tune in and rediscover the joy of simple, community-driven solutions.
Chapters:
- 00:12 - The Power of Community
- 01:05 - Breaking the Cycle of Financial Shame
- 02:17 - Building Community Through Sharing Resources
- 04:11 - Exploring Community Resources: Borrowing and Bartering
- 05:21 - Fostering a Spirit of Community
- 06:44 - Financial Guidance and Community Resources
Takeaways:
- Ralph Estep Jr. emphasizes the importance of borrowing over buying to save money and reduce clutter.
- Community is key; sharing resources can help break the cycle of financial shame and anxiety.
- Being humble enough to ask for help fosters relationships and strengthens community bonds.
- Consider local borrowing options like 'buy nothing' groups and community sharing to save on costs.
- Taking one small action towards borrowing or bartering can lead to significant savings over time.
- Remember, God designed us for community, so let's use our resources wisely together.
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00:00 - Untitled
00:51 - Untitled
01:04 - The Power of Community
01:56 - Breaking the Cycle of Financial Shame
03:08 - Building Community Through Sharing Resources
05:03 - Exploring Community Resources: Borrowing and Bartering
06:12 - Fostering a Spirit of Community
07:36 - Financial Guidance and Community Resources
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Hey, do you need a specific tool for a weekend project or maybe something
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special for a party you're hosting?
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Is your first thought I need to go buy one?
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What if your neighbor already has one that you could borrow today?
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Let's tap into the power of community.
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Hey there and welcome back to Your Daily Ask Ralph.
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I'm Ralph.
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Thanks for joining me after our deep dive recap episode yesterday.
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We're back with our daily actions in the series, the Joy
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of Living Below your means.
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We're working to break that cycle of financial shame and do it with confidence.
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Today we explore another way to save by not buying things at all.
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Let's think about those times.
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You need something for maybe a specific short-term purpose.
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Maybe you need a power washer for your deck.
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Maybe you're having a party and you need a large serving platter for guests.
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Maybe you're doing some research and you need a specific book for researching, or
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maybe you've got a particular tool for a home repair job that you've got planned.
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Now, listen, often our default reaction is to head to the store
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or click online and just go buy it.
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We may not even consider asking someone if we could borrow it.
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We don't do that because we're shy or maybe out of pride or
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just not thinking of it at all.
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We end up spending money on items we might only use once or maybe even twice, which
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then just tend to clutter up our homes.
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That automatic need equals must buy reflex, especially for those
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infrequently used items leading to unnecessary spending and clutter
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because we overlook community resources.
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That's the single frustration that we're focusing in on today's show.
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Here's the thing.
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God designed us for community.
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The early church is a great example of that.
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They shared things generously.
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Just go read the book of Acts chapter two.
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While we live differently today, the principle of helping each
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other and sharing resources is still incredibly relevant.
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Our hyper individualistic culture often makes us forget that it's okay to ask for
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help or okay to ask to borrow something.
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It does require humility, but it also builds relationships and
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strengthens our community bonds.
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And furthermore, being willing to lend our things will foster
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generosity in us as well.
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It's simply good stewardship to avoid buying something unnecessarily
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if it can be easily borrowed.
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So what can we do?
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How can we break this cycle?
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What can we do to break that must buy default and leverage that power of
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community I've been talking about, well, the single resource saving solution
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is to actively explore borrowing, or even bartering before buying things.
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Especially for items that you won't use very often.
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Think about the possibilities.
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You can ask your friends, you can ask your family.
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Maybe ask your neighbors.
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Who do you know who might already own the item.
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You just have to ask, maybe look to community groups.
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Many areas have things called buy nothing groups where neighbors
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share their things freely.
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Some libraries have libraries of things where you can borrow tools,
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you can borrow kitchen equipment, you can borrow games, you name it.
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And don't forget your church community.
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Is there a way to share resources within your church family?
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Hey, if there isn't, maybe that's an option for you.
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You may even consider bartering.
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Do you have a skill or a good you could trade with someone for something you need?
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for example, like, I'll help you with your yard work if I can borrow your power
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washer Making, borrowing or bartering your first thought, not your last resort, can
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save significant money and reduce waste.
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The solution is pretty clear.
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Community connection.
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Borrow or barter first.
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So, okay, here's your action step for today.
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Thinking ahead perhaps to upcoming needs you might have.
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First thing I want you to do is identify a potential need.
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Think is there a tool?
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Is there an item?
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Is there a piece of equipment, maybe a book or a party supply
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that I need soon that you don't own or you would normally buy?
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The second thing I'm gonna encourage you to do is brainstorm
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some borrowing options.
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So before you even think about buying it, spend like five minutes brainstorming.
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Ask yourself, who might I borrow this from?
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Is there, do I have a friend that has this?
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Is there a family member or a neighbor?
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Is there that library of things nearby?
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Could I ask in my local buy nothing group online?
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Then I want you to Take one, asking step.
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Commit today to taking one concrete step towards borrowing or bartering
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For that item, send that text asking a neighbor or post an ask.
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In that Buy nothing group.
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You can check out the library's website.
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I just want you to take that first step to explore those non buying
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options, and here's a bonus for you.
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Think about things you own already that you could offer to lend out,
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fostering that spirit of community.
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Now, you may be asking Ralph, why make the effort to borrow or barter?
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Well, here's why.
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Because it directly fights the frustration of unnecessary spending and, and clutter
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for those infrequently used items.
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Hey, guess what?
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It's gonna save you money.
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It's gonna help you build relationships.
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It's gonna foster that community.
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We talked about.
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We're gonna build interdependence and it promotes good stewardship.
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See, by maximizing the use of resources that already are available
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within our circles, we grow community
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well, let's pray about it.
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Father God, thank you for the gift of community and the
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people you place around us.
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Lord, help us to overcome any pride or hesitation that keeps us from asking
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for help or borrowing when appropriate.
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Give my friend listening right now the courage to reach out today to
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explore borrowing options before even deciding to buy something.
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Lord, open the doors for connection and open the doors for resource
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sharing within their community.
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Foster us all in a spirit of generosity, willing to both ask
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and to lend, reflecting your love and provision to the world.
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Thank you for the power of working together, and we ask this in Jesus' name.
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Amen.
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Alright, well think about that upcoming need and reach out.
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You might be surprised how many willing people are willing to share their things.
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Build those community connections.
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It's a true blessing.
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Now, sometimes the truth is borrowing isn't an option and we do need to
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buy things, especially consumables.
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So be sure to join me back here tomorrow on Ask Ralph, where we'll ask
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could switching brands save you money?
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Hey, and if this episode sparked an idea about sharing resources.
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Do me a favor and please pass it along to someone.
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You can find resources and links in this show notes, and this is the big
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change@financiallyconfidentchristian.com.
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So until tomorrow, borrow before you buy and keep seeking him first.
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And let's keep working to be financially confident Christians, stay
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financially savvy and God bless you.
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You have a great day today.
