Nobody would say that the secret to a joyful, meaningful life is to own a lot of “stuff”. Yet almost all of us live like it is. We are told by all the advertisements that more is better. We spend time comparing our things to the person next to us. We look for jobs that pay enough money so that we can purchase the biggest homes, fanciest cars, trendiest fashions, popular toys and coolest technologies.
But what if there was a better way to live life? One that seeks living with only the most essential possessions needed for life. One that declares that there is more joy in owning less than can found in pursuing more. That truth would change everything about us. It would change the way we spend our hours, our energy and our money. It would change where we would focus our attention and our minds. It would free us up to pursue the things of lasting value.
What does the Bible say about “Living with Less”? Matthew 6:19-21 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus teaches us how to properly understand money and possessions in our life. He encourages us not to hoard treasures here on earth, but to stockpile them in heaven. Could this be an instruction for a better way to live?
Here are some objectives to live with less.
- Intentionally promote the things in life that we most value – identify God’s purpose for our lives, how we spend our time, identify the assets that are essential to us.
- Remove all clutter from our lives – selling, donating and recycling everything that we no longer use. Realise that simplicity and order bring freedom, happiness and balance.
- Use our money for things more valuable than physical possessions – support people in need and other charities.
Living with less appeals to our hearts because
- Possessions don’t equal joy – happiness is found in the pursuit of the lasting passions that God has placed in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”
- Freedom from possessions that burden us is important.
- We desire contentment, generosity, gratitude, self-control, honesty and encouragement – and we want our lives to be described and remembered by those words.
So what are some benefits of living a simpler life?
- Expenditure on unnecessary things and events is reduced. This helps balance the budgetary process and can also reduce debt.
- If you can reduce the physical stuff that you need, it is possible to live in a smaller home which can provide more financial flexibility and stability.
- It’s good for the environment – the less we consume, the less damage we do to God’s creation of out earth.
- When we live a simpler life style, we have more time for to pursue God’s purpose and our passions in life eg church involvement, mission work, family, volunteering, friends, sport, art, music and travel.
After you have cleared out all the clutter, what are some simple ways to start living with less?
- Reduce the number of opportunities for you to spend money. eg reduce or eliminate your credit cards and only use a debit card.
- Save money on food and groceries by planning the weekly meals in advance, set a budget for the shopping trip each time, buy in bulk, use or freeze all leftovers, reduce junk food, check the specials and avoid impulse buys.
- Instead of buying and receiving presents for families and friends at Christmas or birthdays, agree that an outing to a park or show or a meal is the “present” or donate money to a charity such as Australian Lutheran World Service “Gifts of Grace”.
- Have regular cleanouts of rooms so that unused electrical appliances are repaired or recycled, books are donated, accumulated files or paper are shredded and excess groceries are used or donated.
Spend time in prayer – to let God assist you to find more joy throughout the rest of your life by choosing to pursue God’s purpose and your passions rather than your “stuff”.
Prepared by Mel Zerner
Acknowledgement: Some of the material for this article has been extracted from the Christian book “Living With Less – an Unexpected Key to Happiness” by Joshua Becker.
Christian Money Management 