Finding More Life by Owning Less with Joshua Becker

Minimalism isn’t about removing the things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love. That insight from Joshua Becker gets to the heart of a much deeper issue than messy closets or crowded garages. Clutter competes for more than our space. It competes for our attention, affection, time, energy, and generosity. Joshua Becker, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and founder of Becoming Minimalist, joined the show today to talk about his book, Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World.  His message is not that every Christian needs bare walls, a tiny home, or a life stripped of beauty and enjoyment. Rather, it’s an invitation to ask a better question: Are the things we own helping us live faithfully, or are they quietly distracting us from what matters most? Minimalism Is Not One-Size-Fits-All For many people, the word “minimalism” brings to mind stark white rooms, empty shelves, or getting rid of nearly everything they own. But Becker is quick to point out that minimalism will look different from one person to another. Some may enjoy a simpler aesthetic. Others may not. Some may feel called to live with very little. Others may simply need to become more intentional about what they own and why. Becker defines minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from it.” That definition moves the conversation from rules to purpose. The goal is not to own less for its own sake. The goal is to make room for what God has called us to value most. When Possessions Begin to Possess Us Becker’s journey began on an ordinary Saturday morning. He set out to clean his garage while his young son wanted him to play. Hours later, still surrounded by stuff, he realized he had spent his day maintaining possessions instead of investing in his son. That moment became a turning point. He and his wife began removing unnecessary possessions from their home, eventually giving away or discarding 60 to 70 percent of what they owned. With each step, Becker noticed practical benefits. Their home became easier to maintain. Their lifestyle costs less. They had more time and energy. They also found new opportunities for generosity. As a pastor, Becker began to see the connection between simplicity and faith. Jesus had been inviting His followers into this kind of life all along—not as deprivation, but as freedom. He calls us away from storing up treasures on earth and toward a life oriented around the Kingdom of God. Consumerism Shapes Us More Than We Realize We live in a culture that constantly tells us more is better. Advertisements, social media, algorithms, and comparison all work together to convince us that the next purchase will make us happier, more secure, more admired, or more complete. The message is subtle but powerful: your life will be better if you buy what we’re selling. Over time, that message shapes our desires. We begin to define success by accumulation. Bigger homes, newer cars, fuller closets, upgraded technology, and constant consumption start to feel normal. But normal is not always wise. And common is not always faithful. Scripture repeatedly warns us that riches and possessions can deceive us. In Luke 8, Jesus describes the seed choked by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life,” keeping it from bearing mature fruit. Possessions are not evil in themselves, but they can become thorns when they crowd out our attention to God, neighbor, and calling. Simplicity Is Not Deprivation Biblical simplicity does not mean rejecting every comfort or refusing to enjoy God’s gifts. 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Money can be used for celebration, hospitality, beauty, rest, and meaningful experiences with family and friends. Those are good gifts from a generous God. The issue is not whether we enjoy what God provides. The issue is whether those gifts become idols. When possessions begin to promise identity, security, comfort, or joy in ways only God can provide, they no longer serve us. They master us. That is why simplicity can be a path toward abundance. When we own less of what distracts us, we gain more of what matters: time, margin, focus, generosity, relationships, and availability to God’s work. Clutter Steals Margin Many people today feel hurried, anxious, and stretched thin. While clutter is not the only reason for that exhaustion, it often contributes more than we realize. The more we own, the more we must clean, organize, protect, repair, insure, store, and pay for. Possessions require attention. They make demands. They quietly add weight to already busy lives. A less cluttered life can create margin—space to pray, rest, serve, listen, give, and be present. It can help us become more attentive to God and to the people He has placed before us. Becker shared the story of a woman named Trish, whose grandmother modeled a simple and faithful life. Her grandmother gardened, gathered eggs, sat on the porch, and lived with a peaceful attentiveness that left a lasting mark. Trish remembered that example as the kind of life she wanted to cultivate in her own family—not disconnected from the world, but less rushed by it. That kind of legacy is often caught more than taught. Owning Less Can Free Us to Give More One of the clearest connections between simplicity and faith is generosity. When we spend less on accumulation, we have more freedom to give. For someone in debt, owning less may create room to pay down what is owed. For someone living paycheck to paycheck, it may provide breathing room. For someone already financially stable, it may open the door to greater generosity. This is not merely a financial principle. It is a spiritual one. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our spending and giving reveal what we value. And as we direct our resources toward God’s Kingdom, our hearts are shaped in the process. Generosity helps loosen the grip of materialism. It reminds us that money is not our treasure, our protector, or our purpose. It is a tool entrusted to us by God for His glory and the good of others. A More Faithful Question The goal of an uncluttered faith is not to make everyone’s home look the same. It is not to shame people for enjoying good gifts. And it is not to create a new form of legalism around how much a Christian should own. The better question is this: What is God calling me to make room for? Maybe it’s more time with your children. Maybe it’s more generosity. Maybe it’s less anxiety. Maybe it’s a greater availability to serve. Maybe it’s simply the freedom to stop chasing what the world says you need and begin living more deeply in what Christ has already given. Owning less is not the treasure. Christ is. But when we remove what distracts us, we may find ourselves freer to love Him, love others, and make an impact with what He has entrusted to us. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Can I borrow from my 401(k) instead of taking out a loan from the bank? My house is paid off, but I’m considering moving and may need funds available for a bridge loan. As the primary beneficiary of my late husband’s IRA, do I have to move the full account into my name, or can I transfer part of it directly to my children since they’re listed as contingent beneficiaries? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World: A Minimalist Book by Joshua Becker Becoming Minimalist Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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