Less Really is More

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.

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.