““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
Happy Monday sweet friends! Today, is a different kind of post. I am reviewing a book, only my second time to do so in almost six years of blogging. Since the late 1990’s a more simple or minimalist lifestyle has been gaining popularity. Some say a minimalist lifestyle is living with just what you need or living with less. In our American culture of excess and consumerism, this might go against the grain. But, what if we take a Biblical approach to minimalism?
“Hold everything in your hands lightly. Otherwise, it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
-Corrie Ten Boom
One of the joys of blogging has been the meaningful friendships that have been made with both readers and bloggers. I am excited to share my precious blogging friend, Cheryl and her recently published and powerfully written book, Biblical Minimalism – Following Jesus From A Life Of Abundance To A More Abundant Life.
In Cheryl’s words, “For years, my family and I struggled with overloaded schedules, overwhelming debt, and being enslaved to our 4-bedroom, 3-bath home and physical possessions. The things we thought we owned really owned us.”
“The thing about this world is that the more we have of it, the more we want.”
-Cheryl E. Smith
Can any of you identify with Cheryl? I certainly can. Do you have trouble letting go of stuff? Does your stuff own you? I confess…I am guilty! Even as I continue to collect more, I am thinking I don’t want to leave the burden of sifting through everything to our only child.
Cheryl’s book documents her family’s journey. Through a sobering wake-up call, God made it clear to Cheryl, her husband, and son that life changes must be made. What followed was a minimizing journey that led them to sell their home, let go of about 90% of their physical possessions, and eliminate 100% of their debt. Cheryl is not suggesting that her family’s experience is the model that God universally requires, nor is it her purpose to cause anyone to feel that they must conform to the mold of their circumstances. Each life is unique and God is faithful to lead accordingly.
Cheryl uses the perfect example of the One who lived minimalism in its purest and most authentic form. He was born in a borrowed stable and buried in a borrowed tomb. The life He lived between the two was lived selflessly and completely devoid of personal gain. Jesus didn’t focus on accumulating “stuff” down here because He knew this life is temporary, and His time on earth was short. His earthly occupation was a carpenter, yet, He didn’t even own a home. He traveled light. Jesus entire focus was on the eternal and carrying out His Father’s will while on earth. He created this world, yet, nothing in it weighed Him down or enslaved Him to it.
I will always remember the words of my beloved pastor of 40 years, “You will never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” So why do we and why do I live in excess? How much is too much? Cheryl shares God’s Word as He lead her family from a life of abundance to a more abundant life.
From reading Cheryl’s blogs, I knew that she was an excellent writer. The heartwarming story of her family’s journey to living a simpler life is a message that all believers should read. I highly recommend this book, it will be time well spent and could be life changing!
Cheryl has generously offered one free book to one of my readers. To enter, just leave a comment below. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 16. To purchase Cheryl’s book, click here.
Cheryl Smith is the author of the book, “Biblical Minimalism”, the story of her family’s journey from a life of abundance to a more abundant life. She is author of the blogs, Biblical Minimalism, where she writes about minimalism from a Biblical perspective, and Homespun Devotions, where she writes devotional and “Inner Views.” She loves to spend time with her husband and son in the mountains, sing and play Bluegrass music, and write.
Thank you so much for your lovely visits and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
I (we) could really benefit by reading this book. We need advice to quit buying, pare down and not be a slave to cleaning, and hoarding things in our home. Thank you for telling about this book.
This book sounds like a next step for me in my Christian walk. The older I get, the more I realize that things do not matter. Thank you for bringing this book to my attention. Blessings today!
Sounds like a wonderful book to read. I’m sure many of us could benefit from reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
Although retired, I no longer have booked solid schedules. However during this time of sheltering in place, I see I have more than a lot of stuff. This book would be an interesting read.
I am not a big reader but I think I should slow down & read this book to help me. I own way to much stuff & need to learn to let go of things to help me in my journey. I am changing as I grow older. I would be honored to read this book.
This book has a powerful message…I think we have all experienced a little of this letting go these past months as we’ve had to make do with less and give up many events and learn to do more at home. Sher is brave and generous to share her story and inspire us, I admire her strength. Lovely giveaway and her message is something for all of us to consider…
Jenna
This is a topic that we just do not like to talk about but we need to. I’m trying to clean out so my children don’t have to go through all these “things” and feel the same guilt I feel for holding onto memories that manifest in tangible things.
Sounds like Cheryl’s book is very moving. I wish her success in her book.
This book sounds like something that we all need to be reading especially now….during this time that we are all going through, a time that we have never experienced before. Not only would I love to read this book but would also be a great share with my book club when we get back together. Thanks so much for sharing this on your blog today!
As I too get older I find I just don’t need all that stuff and it can be very overwhelming, I would love to read her book and gain and feel more at peace
I love the message of this book. Living a simple life really gives you a new focus. Which should give God a blessing knowing that we are concentrating our now and our future serving Him. Cherry
Dear Pam! Words fail me to know how to thank you for your kind and precious comments and for doing this wonderful book review for us! I am eternally grateful for you, your support, encouragement, and dear friendship. May the Lord richly and abundantly bless you and your family and keep all of you safe and well in these troubled times. Much love and gratitude to you today, my friend.
Sounds like a very interesting book.Thanks for the give away.Good luck to all.
A simpler life is indeed the way to go. I do like my collections but have learned to stop after they are styled and look great where they are placed.
I welcome the idea of this book… we really don’t need stuff… it’s the simple way of living with the ones we love.
Happy Monday!
All I can say is wow! I don’t know if I would win the book or not, I do hope so but I really need to tell you how this morning God has directed me to you. I am so blessed today just because you are there and I needed you.
Nonie
What a wonderful and very thoughtful giveaway. I would love to read this book. We need our Lord now more than ever!
Pam, A wonderful message today! Indeed we all can probably pare down our possessions. Going through a home of memories is so challenging after a loved one has passed. It’s overwhelming and heart breaking while grieving especially if you are an only child. I’ve only experienced it as an only child and can attest as to how heavy my heart was and how alone I felt even though my husband was right by my side. So many tears were shed, both happy and sad. This book sounds like a great read and learning tool. As I age, I am trying really hard to buy less and organize more! Have a wonderful week. Clara♥️
I have long believed that less is more and believe it more every day. It translates into more peace. The things I hold on to the most are things Mother wanted me to have or gifts from friends. I think I have gone six months without a trip to HomeGoods. I can’t take credit for that but the virus has kept me home. The fact is I have no storage room as we downsized when we built this house. It is a matter of concern when we begin to realize we must downsize some more so our children are not burdened with this. I do think people become enslaved by their desire for more stuff. Best wishes to Cheryl on her new book. It sounds like we all could benefit from this biblical view.
Pam, you have shared such a wonderful book and message with us today. I agree we could all live a much simpler life as these past months have shown us. Thanks for sharing this book with us, and I will be sure to check out Cheryl’s blogs. Happy Monday, sweet friend!
I absolutely LOVE the premise of this book and could surely benefit greatly from reading it! Thank you so much for sharing this book with us… Love and God’s Blessings to you and yours!
I am struggling with decluttering our home because of being so sentimental. I would love the opportunity to read this book. It sounds like it would be beneficial for me.
Dear Pam, I am sure this is a wonderful book. I have been slowly getting rid of things I know I will no longer use. Hubby is the one who struggles with letting things go. However, for me, after moving my mom twice and clearing out my MIL home of 60 years, I had as my mom would say – “The cure for stuff.” My weakness is lovely china and I will admit that is the one thing that is hard for me to part with. But I am working on that.
I would enjoy reading this book, I know there must be wonderful tips about parting with what we refer to as ‘treasures.’
Have a lovely week, sweet friend. Stay well.❤
It looks like a powerful book and you’re right — it addresses an issue I think common to so many of us!
Thank You Pam and Cheryl for this giveaway. What a lovely book.
Marion
What an inspirational book to read. Thank You Cheryl for the giveaway.
Joan
This book is beautiful. The winner I am sure will cherish it .Thank You Cheryl for this generous giveaway.
Marilyn
This is so awesome, Pam. I traced back to Cheryl’s blog and realized her interviewer, Joshua Becker, is a guy I follow on FB (his page, Becoming Minimalist). This whole concept goes hand in hand with purging, paring down, whether by choice or circumstance. I am happy to say that while my initial life purge (by choice) is complete, I am helping a brother in a very big way since April to find his sweet spot in a situation of a life purge, and not entirely by choice. The biblical aspect of minimalism is timely for both me and my brother. It is such an important aspect of recognizing gratitude through the process. Thanks for sharing this. Thanks to Cheryl too.
What a kind and generous gesture to offer this book to us, dear Pam. And what a wise and insightful soul Cheryl is to lay
out the steps to fulfill God’s plan for living in simplicity. The other word for simple could very well be peace, for that is the route. Even Einstein with the complexity of his mind and ability to formulate, admonished “Simplify, simplify.” When you
cannot part with something, just take a photo of it for remembrance and give the item to the white elephant table at Church. Shared love.
Pam, Thank You for this post. This is a huge desire of my heart! I had plans on working on this very thing and then came Covid! Looking for the Lords direction and timing in this NEW place.
Pam I so enjoy your beautiful pictures and verses daily! I appreciate the recommended book and In my own life tend to place sentiment in many things I hold on to. I look forward to reading this book to see what Jesus teaches through it.
This topic is certainly easy to relate to. We cleaned out Mike’s mother’s house last summer and it was an awesome task. We have no room for any more dishes and vases! They are my weakness. I have worked hard to use what I had in tablescapes and vignettes without buying any new things, however, that doesn’t mean I haven’t wanted to buy more.
Cheryl’s book obviously has had a profound effect on you. I want to look up her blog too. What is the name of her blog?
Pam, hi! I just love that we’ve both hit the PUBLISH button for our reviews on Cheryl’s new book!
Makes me smile …
;-}
Me, too!
Need some direction in
this dept.