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Less Really is More

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 Having less stuff means having more time for life. @ AVirtuousWoman.org #ATimeToClean #declutter

A Time to Clean: Day 13

You can read the rest of the posts in this series here.

“I wish I’d had more had more stuff, more things, and more money,” said no one ever as they breathed their last breath.

No, most people thinking back on their life will have wished they’d spent more moments living life to the fullest and loving their family more.

So much time is spent buying, organizing, cleaning, moving, carrying stuff. Things. Material possessions that have no eternal value. What do you want more of?

I have said to my husband many times in recent months that I want less stuff and more life. You know, real living – the good stuff, like adventures in the mountains, travels around the country, laughter and games with my kids.

How much of my time is spent moving, shifting, dusting, cleaning, washing, moving, organizing, re-organizing, stuff? It’s probably shameful. Is that how God wants me to spend my time?

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

I want my life and my home to reflect my love for Jesus. A space that is cluttered, messy, or too full doesn’t give justice to the life want to to live. I want my home to stand as a witness to my life of peace and joy in Jesus. If my home does not reflect a peaceful, happy life and instead looks cluttered and overrun with chaos, am I really living the life God wants me to live? Or have I given “things” a higher place in my life than they deserve?

Less Stuff, More Joy

By having less stuff I can have more life. By having less stuff, I can have more time for living the life God intended me to live instead of wasting time on futile tasks. By having less stuff I can have more fun and laughter and games with my family. By having less stuff to clean and pick up and wash I can have more time to do meaningful activities that add joy to my life – like painting, writing, crafting, scrapbooking, or sewing. By having less stuff to try and organize I can also have less stress which means I have more peace.

Having less stuff means having more time for life. @ AVirtuousWoman.org #ATimeToClean #declutter

I’ve noticed when I’m traveling that I really don’t need that many clothes. In fact, every year we spend two weeks away at campmeeting and we each pack one suitcase full of clothing and I bring one laundry basket. And at the end of each day, that days clothing for the entire family gets washed, dried, folded and put away.

And it’s wonderful. 

Why do I feel the need to have a closet full of clothing that I don’t really need? 

Isaiah 55:2 says, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.” NASB.

I’m not saying we should never buy anything except for bread. I don’t believe we have to live as paupers to be faithful Christians. But I do believe we should be good stewards and not always be so anxious to spend more money and more time on things that really aren’t going to add goodness to our lives. So much money could be saved if we just bought less stuff – and that money in turn could be used to support a ministry who feeds and clothes the poor.

So much money could even be saved and put toward your retirement which is also part of being a good steward!  

Temperance

We live in a consumer world. Every where we go we see advertisements enticing us to spend money on new things. We’re so used to having what we want, when we want it and today’s youth really struggle with doing without. This generation of parents have encouraged this behavior by giving so many “things” to our children when what children are really desperate for is love, guidance, and boundaries.

We need to learn temperance in all things. 

Temperance: n. moderation and self-restraint

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 KJV

What area’s in your life are lacking temperance or self-control?

Today’s Goal

  • Think about which area of your life is most lacking in self-restraint. Do you shop way too much? Do you indulge in too much television when you should be doing the dishes? Has a lack of self-control contributed to your clutter problem?
  • Pray about making hard decisions – about what things you should keep, preserve, or let go.
  • Pick up a journal and write down your thoughts about what He has shown you or print my free prayer journal.
  • Choose an area in your home you want to tackle. I’ll be working in my family room today.
  • Fill at least one bag or box full of stuff to give away. You can donate to our Appalachian Community Center if you’d like.
  • Take a picture of your bag. Share it on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram – use hashtag #atimetoclean {optional}
  • Leave a comment below about what you chose to get rid of and anything else God has laid on your heart.
  • Do your best to wake up early tomorrow and spend time in prayer. Use your prayer journal. I’ll be waking up around 6:00 am.

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11 Comments

  1. As I get older, I really do see the value in less because of all the time it takes to maintain all the "more" we have in our lives. Recently, we have been sorting through all the totes of clothes that we have bought over the years and getting rid of a majority of it! It is easier to dress when you have less choices!
  2. i read an article months ago about someone who decided to become a minimalist and what measures they took for their wardrobe. The other day my husband asked if we were going to do that and then reading this confirms that is where my focus will be for this day. I may not go as extreme as I should but getting rid of about half of what we own would be such a relief... Now if I could only get over my thoughts "what if I want to wear it someday" or "I may not fit that noe (after having two babies in the last two years) but I am hoping to lose weight to fit it again"
  3. I recently read a book about living with less called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. She is a Japanese woman who has made it her life's work to help people make their homes exactly how they vision them. I have read dozens of de-cluttering books and this one gets the blue ribbon. Love your blog!
  4. I have a hard time getting this through to my kids. Especially this time of the year! It is hard when my ex husband and his family are about things. I pray for God to help my kids see that people and experiences and serving others out weighs who has the most of something. I have tried purging but only when they can't beg "Mommy no!! Not that!!" Thanks for the article.
  5. Good Morning! Am so glad I found this website and it is so helpful,am so excited,am a fan of proverbs31.You website is so practical.Ntombikayise Nzama,Florida,SouthAfrica
  6. Melissa, yes, yes, yes!! I KNOW this, but living it out is hard! When I get rid of stuff, I feel relief. Then not long after, there I am at the store again! God has been speaking to me about my rebellion. And boy, is He hitting it hard! I am full of rebellion, which is as the sin of witchcraft. I'm daily pleading with Him to cleanse me, and break down all the stronghold the enemy has in my life. And clutter, and hoarding is definitely one of them. Keep on encouraging me, please!

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