In these difficult economic times, thrift may seem like a necessity rather than a route to joy. But in this handbook, the reader learns about the virtue of thrift and how, in combination with gratitude and generosity, it can lead to deep, lasting contentment.
The book explores the qualities that distinguish thriftiness from merely being cheap; it looks at thrift and wisdom, thrift and gratitude, thrift and ethical standards, and thrift and hard work. With references from the Bible, literature, poetry, and philosophy, as well as examples from daily life, thrift is shown to be more than just understanding the bottom line. Indeed, thrift is part of a religious and cultural understanding of how we use our time, our talents, and our resources.
As inherently virtuous as thrifty living is, its capacity for leading to deep joy is severely limited if its goals are self-serving. On the other hand, when thrift is combined with the virtue of generosity, when empathy opens the doors for channeling the thriftiness to generosity, then the potential for good is greatly magnified.
