The Minimalist HomeSýnishorn

Getting Back More than We Give

Minimalism is not about taking something away from you; it’s about giving something to you. My definition of minimalism is “the intentional promotion of things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them.” Minimizing is actually optimizing—reducing the number of your possessions so you can nurture what you value most in life and not become distracted from anything that keeps you from living out God’s purpose. It’s individual, freeing, and life promoting. 

You’ll find that minimizing your home changes your attitudes toward what you hold on to and what you give away. That is, it encourages gratitude and generosity. Both attitudes can help you in becoming the person you want to be. 

When you not only don’t have too much stuff but also don’t want too much stuff, you experience a contentment that the person who lusts after the latest gadgetry and crowds in more furniture will never know. When your collection of possessions is down to just the stuff you need, then you not only notice them more but also appreciate them more. You feel satisfaction and peace. Gratitude arises within, and that’s a more attractive quality than greed will ever be. Gratitude also reminds us that we have so much to give others.

That leads us to generosity. Minimalism allows you to live a more selfless lifestyle. If you’re no longer trying to live a life of get, get, get, you can begin living a life of give, give, give. You become a generous person, the kind of person who waters this parched world of ours. 

At first, this means giving of your excess possessions. You will find great joy in donating to others. I hope you find that generosity brings its own rewards—that you like how it makes you feel to give. 

Subsequently, you will look for more opportunities to be generous. You will use some of the excess money you have to support causes and ministries you believe in. You’ll use the availability you’ve created in your schedule to serve and volunteer. Second Corinthians tells us that God loves “a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The great thing about generosity is that once you start giving things away, you can’t help but grow in joy.

When have you experienced the joy of being generous? Why do you think we gain such satisfaction from giving money and possessions to others?