The Rise of minimalism has increased over the past 15 years. Minimalist bloggers, YouTube creators, book writers, and speakers all want to share how being a minimalist has changed their life. It can range from someone talking about how they can fit everything they own in a backpack to getting rid of things that you have not used in 6 months. But, all of these people have the same message. “The more stuff you have, the more attention goes to your stuff.”
I recently listened to a podcast where this guy confessed that he became a minimalist because he spent an entire Saturday cleaning his garage up while his kids were playing in the back yard and he was bothered by that. While talking to his neighbor, he mentioned how frustrated he was, and his neighbor said, “My daughter has been into minimalism. Maybe that’s something you should check out.” He said he was hooked instantly.
In American consumerism, we have hit an all-time high regarding how much stuff we have and how much we owe other people. In 2021 The average credit card debt in America was $4,300, the average auto loan was $19,100, and the average personal loan was $12,300. These are just the averages, some are far less, and some are far more. With inflation, we should push it aside and blame it on that, but there is something that also has increased at a rapid rate. That is, Storage Units. Right now, 10% of American households have to use a storage unit because they have too much stuff to put in their living place. We have over 60,000 storage unit facilities in the USA, which grows on average by 2000 each year.
All these numbers will rise even more over the next few years. There is no wonder why people are drawn to a more simple lifestyle. But, does scripture say anything about your way of living?
In Matthew 6, Jesus is in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, and in this chapter, he starts with prayer. He talks about how we need to ask God for our Daily Bread in that prayer. Ask for God to provide the
things we NEED, not the things we want.
Then He explains three ways to make sure you aline with God’s Spirit on this earth.
1) Fasting
Fasting seems to be something taboo. No one likes to feel hungry or thirsty for a long time. We can only go a few hours without our body telling us it’s time to fill the tank back up. Fasting is more than not eating or drinking and putting your life in a position for God to reveal stuff in your life. Specifically, things that control us.
What do you go to when your body is put in a stressful situation? What do you go to for comfort?
For many, it’s buying stuff, eating, watching tv, playing video games, or even turning to alcohol. Fasting is an excellent way for God to show you what you value in your life.
2) Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:11 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 also be.
Buying stuff is not bad; we need stuff. But, buying things to “keep up with the Jones’s” is something you need to stay away from.
You feel it, I feel it, we all feel it. Sometimes we buy stuff just because we think it’s going to increase the value of our life.
Jesus suggests a different option. To push out heart to desire heaven and not stuff.
3) Do Not Worry
Matthew 7:33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Did you know that 91% of the stuff we worry about never comes true? Fascinating statistic.
Worry is something that comes from the fear of the unknown. Where is the money going to come from? Where is food going to come from? Where are our clothes going to come from? These are all questions you and I have asked before, but in this scripture, God suggests that we don’t worry about tomorrow and seek His Kingdom instead.
To not focus on things of this world but focus on eternal things.
So does God want you to be a minimalist?
Probably not in the millennial living out of your backpack way of thinking. (But, he might call you to do that) Though he does encourage living a “simple” life on earth so that we can give our attention to the things of his Kingdom.
God wants us to replace our wants with the things of His spirit.