Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:21–22)
Walk out your front door. Now go on a grand tour of your home. Imagine it was nearly empty, only containing the essentials and what brings value to your life. How does that make you feel?
Letting Go
Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution. (The Minimalists)
The first time I heard the word, “minimalism” was in 2019. I had no clue what it meant and didn’t bother researching into it. 2 years later, I stumbled across a podcast called, The Minimalists. The goal was to, “help people eliminate clutter and live meaningfully with less.” Over the next year, I binged a large chunk of the podcast, soaking in all I could learn about this new minimalism thing. I hadn’t really put much into practice yet, but I understood the concepts and wanted to take the steps to achieve this way of life.
While preparing to move out of my parent’s house, I realized how much stuff I owned. Most of the things I pulled out I had forgotten about, leaving them to collect dust over the years. After seeing a pile of unneeded possessions staring back at me, I understood things needed to change.
It was difficult to sort through my belongings and determine what I truly needed. As I picked up certain items, I felt the desire to keep them, even though I didn’t necessarily need them. The weird souvenir from vacation or an old project. Through this whole ordeal, a harsh reality struck me. If I enjoyed having these possessions in my life, I would be using them or displaying them somewhere to see everyday. Once I figured out what to keep, I was left with a pile of stuff to get rid of. I’m sure Goodwill appreciated the large donation.
When we moved into our apartment, almost everything I had were essentials. It felt great. After a few months, I noticed items here and there collecting dust or lying forgotten. I put a cardboard box by the front door and placed our unneeded items there any time we found one. When the box was full, we donated the items inside.
After minimizing my excess possessions, I noticed my stress levels decreased significantly. There weren’t as many things to clean up everyday and I could put everything away without having to cram everything to fit in storage spaces. Living with less didn’t make me feel poor or less fortunate, it made me content with what I had.
Realigning Your Focus
When Jesus traveled to spread His word, He carried few possessions. God provided for His needs. He ate and stayed in other people’s homes and even more so, He didn’t have a home on earth. With that in mind, should you try to emulate this lifestyle? I don’t necessarily mean get rid of everything and become homeless, but it should make you think twice about where your focus lies.
My suggestion is to start small. If you truly want to change, it will not happen overnight. Pick one room in your house and sort through every item. Without a doubt you will find something to get rid of. That weird painting that you can never seem to find the right place for and you’re not even sure you like it, the gift someone gave you years ago and you’re only keeping it out of guilt or not wanting to make the person feel bad, or a section of your closet or dresser with clothes that don’t fit or you never wear anymore. Or maybe there’s an item that while you enjoy it, it takes you away from everything else that’s important in your life.
Now ask yourself the question you’re avoiding.
Do I really need this?
If your possessions cause you stress and don’t bring value to your life, they’re probably keeping you from what matters most. Your well-being, family, friends, and most importantly, God. God did not place us on earth to hoard riches and build monuments to ourselves. He created us to show His love and glory, make disciples, and share the Gospel. Would you rather have stuff or God? You only get one.
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:24–26)
Reflections
Let me make something clear. Minimalism is not the Gospel.
If you decide to become a minimalist, please do not place minimalism before God. You won’t get far. If you feel a gap in your soul, minimalism will not fix it. Only God can do that. Minimalism should only be used as a tool, driving you back to what matters most. God, family, friends, your well-being, and anything else that brings value to your life.
Minimalism will help prepare you for what happens after life on earth if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ. No possession or hoard of gold will accompany us after death. Everything else fades away.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19–21)
