Are You More of a Provider or More of a Consumer? Take the Test

People are both providers and consumers, but people do lean to being either more of one or the other. Let’s take a look at some definitions. According to Webster, provider means – one who gets ready beforehand, one who furnishes means of support, one who makes available, or one with something. Consumer means – one who buys goods for personal needs and not for resale, one who spends wastefully, one who squanders, or to use up. Again, as stated above, everyone is a provider and a consumer, but there are major differences. Have you ever been to the mall and seen people with loads of shopping bags and wondered what have they bought? Or maybe you have been to a friend’s home and wondered why all the things or stuff? It’s a good idea to begin cleaning out and giving away things in your home that you don’t need. Maybe have a house rule that if you bring something new into your home then you will take something out of your home and give it away. Oh, and you have to be in need of that something new. To be more of a provider is to be less of a consumer. Providers and consumers have their struggles, but providers more so see the value of owning things rather than things owning them and that the proper use of resources can make or break a household. Don’t you feel better when you’re able to provide for yourself and for your family? Being more of a provider is an emotional high that absolutely no one can take away from you. Being more of a provider is a banner of pride and respect. Being more of a provider helps uplift your spirit, helps to calm the mind, and helps to create a peaceful atmosphere in the home. I do realize that there are those who have fallen from the spot of provider due to unforeseen circumstances, such as job loss or illness – that is not the fault of the provider. I had a family member in a situation of job loss. I am talking about making a conscience choice to be more of a provider than to be more of a consumer. Being more of a provider is first a way of thinking or a state of mind. An individual can be taught to be a provider, or he or she can just have that innate way of thinking.

There are obvious differences between being more of a provider and being more of a consumer so let’s take a look at some differences then you can make the choice on which one you would rather tag yourself.

Are you more of a Provider?

• Having enough resources for themselves, their family, and for others
• Knowing how to allocate resources to make them last
• Less worry about not having enough for themselves and their family
• Always thinking of ways that will bring provisions into their homes
• Knowing or investigating where to get what they need to provide for their family
• Will go lacking so their family will have
• Will not always look for the “latest and greatest” things, but for the things that will do the trick and satisfy the need
• Will use that “extra” overtime money to pay down a bill
• Will possibly use lay-a-away or wait for a sale
• Brand name items are not at the top of the shopping list
• Will teach the kids about the importance of being good stewards of what they have
• May save more money
• Will plan ahead for the future
• Will thank God for providing their needs

• Will purchase an unnecessary item and go short until next payday, then ask the provider to loan them money
• May not use that ”extra” overtime money to pay down a bill
• May not use what they have to do the trick and satisfy the need, but will get the “latest and greatest” thing
• May not go lacking so their family might have
• May not have enough resources for themselves, their family, and for others
• May not allocate resources to make them last
• May purchase extremely high priced items
• May go for the instant gratification – won’t wait for the sale
• May be in a lot of debt
• Brand name items are at the top of the shopping list
• May save less money
• May set an example to the kids of instant gratification when it comes to purchases
• Lives in the “right now” and not plan ahead for the future
• Will thank God for providing their wants

Have you tagged yourself yet? I think being more of a provider is the clear winner – what about you?