Minimalism

[renewed_hope]

Every few months I try and clean out everything in hopes of filling up about four bags of stuff I don't need or want. Right now I have about six plastic tubs full of dishes and baking equipment in the back of my closet, along with sentimental items I will not part with. The one thing that I do need to get rid of are my college textbooks, however I have a bad habit of buying accounting books to reference back to. I got one at a yard sale brand new, and it normally runs about $300 and I got it for fifty cents....did I mention I'm pretty thrifty?

Generally speaking I can live without everything the only thing I ask for is a shower, a way to wash clothes, food and water, blanket, and the bible.

Gasp! I can actually live without coffee, but I don't wanna lol

 

[Lynx]

This thread is still missing a juke. I could have sworn people would be on it like ants on a bag of sugar...


I Timothy 6:8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.


There, well and properly juked.

 

[seoulsearch]

This thread is still missing a juke. I could have sworn people would be on it like ants on a bag of sugar...


I Timothy 6:8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.


There, well and properly juked.

I have to agree with Bruce in that minimalism (in whatever form it may be) may work for some but not for others.

Along the lines of Lynx's "juke" , I've met some Christians who actually seem to think they're more righteous or somehow better than other people if they live the minimalist lifestyle or spend the least amount of money.

While those things have their merits for sure, I don't think it makes someone "better" or "more Christian".

I heard a sermon once in which the pastor said that by today's standards, Abraham was most likely a millionaire, and possibly even a billionaire.

I have often wondered if Sarah and Abraham lived a "minimalist" lifestyle: "Why, Sarah, I think we should cut back to only 200 sheep... Maybe we have enough..."

I also wonder if Sarah and Abraham would have shopped at Walmart. Maybe... But somehow, I don't think they exactly deprived themselves all the time.

And yet God called Abraham His friend.

 

[laura_charlotte]

I Timothy 6:8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Very apt scripture!

 

[Pemican]

I've been this way for a while. I haven't owned a TV since before 2001, always had at least one computer, though.

My dad is a pack rat, and I've gone the other way...if I haven't used it in 6 months to a year, I get rid of it. My dad is still finding stuff that is 'mine' that I put in the 'go to goodwill' pile before they moved from Tennessee 5 years ago. I've learned that I need to get rid of it myself, rather than trust that he'll do it for me.

Your dad sounds exactly like my dad. It was almost an obsession with him to keep everything. He passed away about 10 years ago, but left behind so much stuff that it took my brothers and I years to get rid of it all. We weren't able to sell most of it either. It was either too worn out, or old technology, or not worth the trouble trying to sell. Aside from filling the weekly garbage cans, we filled three 10 cubic yard dumpsters with his junk, burned tons of other stuff, donated, and put out on the street old furniture with a "free" sign on it.

Yes, and I've gone the other way as well, to some extent. I was always bothered by the fact that my childhood house was more of a warehouse than a home. I do not think there is anything wrong with having possessions as long as they are things you actually need and use. But stockpiling stuff can get to be absurd and a little crazy. You have to ask yourself, do you own your possessions or do they own you. I tell people of my generation to clean up their finances and their physical possessions before they get too old. It is really selfish and inconsiderate to leave a mess behind, and for the Christian it is not a good testimony to the next generation. My father was not a believer in Christ and perhaps his stuff was the only security he thought he had.

 

[laura_charlotte]

Along the lines of Lynx's "juke" , I've met some Christians who actually seem to think they're more righteous or somehow better than other people if they live the minimalist lifestyle or spend the least amount of money.

While those things have their merits for sure, I don't think it makes someone "better" or "more Christian".

For some reason, I usually don't like used things either, especially clothes.

Not to sound too graphic or distrustful, but you just don't know what people have done with the things you're buying.I'm hoping that when I buy "new" clothes, they haven't been worn by someone else who made out with 20 guys in backseats before I bought it, or that the table I'm buying hasn't been used to play with a ouija board, etc.

these are the kinds of things I think about when I see used stuff, unless it's a rare exception (like hand-me-down furniture from my parents.)

I’m an avid ebayer, because I don’t see the sense in paying 300 bucks for a dress when I could pay 8.00 for it. I’ve taught children who came from very impoverished backgrounds and I know where their parents get their clothing – at goodwill - Is that what you think of young women walking around in ebay outfits or children who are wearing second hand gear?

My dining table was made from used timber offcuts that used to be in other people’s homes, does that mean if I invited you round for dinner, you wouldn’t eat off of that table?

It's a good critical thinking type of hat to wear when considering minimalism and those who've adopted the lifestyle for financial, thrifty or other valid reasons.

 

[Pemican]

I am in the process of moving, for those that don't know. So this is why I was thinking about this topic. Grace, I too feel like leaving everything behind. haha
But thankfully I'm going from a small apartment to a larger house.
Still, I'll probably throw some stuff away or donate it.

For me, the first thing you do when you know you're moving is to filter through everything you own and get rid of as much stuff as you can. You don't want to have to pack it and lug it to your next home.

 

[Willie-T]

Some people have mentioned the price of things, and buying used versus new. I think it should be mentioned that "minimalism" doesn't depend on the cost of stuff. It is reducing the stuff you have and the stuff you intend to buy, regardless of price.

And if you cut out all the stuff you rarely use it's a lot easier to afford good quality for the stuff you really do need.

So, you are depriving yourself of things you might like to have, to what..... make a social statement, or something?

 

[wwjd_kilden]

So, you are depriving yourself of things you might like to have, to what..... make a social statement, or something?

Maybe some do
but in this case it is clearly stated with the motive of affording better things

 

[seoulsearch]

I’m an avid ebayer, because I don’t see the sense in paying 300 bucks for a dress when I could pay 8.00 for it. I’ve taught children who came from very impoverished backgrounds and I know where their parents get their clothing – at goodwill - Is that what you think of young women walking around in ebay outfits or children who are wearing second hand gear?

My dining table was made from used timber offcuts that used to be in other people’s homes, does that mean if I invited you round for dinner, you wouldn’t eat off of that table?

It's a good critical thinking type of hat to wear when considering minimalism and those who've adopted the lifestyle for financial, thrifty or other valid reasons.

That's awesome that your lifestyle choices work for you, Laura.

I have no problem at all with the choices other people make about where they buy their clothes and possessions, and no, I wouldn't hold back or judge someone because of their choices in those areas. I have several friends who are single moms and choose to only buy second-hand things from Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Our choices might be different, but that's perfectly all right if it's within God's standards and works for our own personal tastes and lifestyles.

 

[laura_charlotte]

That's awesome that your lifestyle choices work for you, Laura.

I have no problem at all with the choices other people make about where they buy their clothes and possessions, and no, I wouldn't hold back or judge someone because of their choices in those areas. I have several friends who are single moms and choose to only buy second-hand things from Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Our choices might be different, but that's perfectly all right if it's within God's standards and works for our own personal tastes and lifestyles.

You're welcome for dinner anytime.

 

[seoulsearch]

You're welcome for dinner anytime.

I would love to anytime.

I bet your table is beautiful. I love woodwork and carpentry, so I bet it's a real piece of artwork!

And, I bet you're a fantastic cook.

 

[melita916]

i also buy movies and forget about them.

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

So, you are depriving yourself of things you might like to have, to what..... make a social statement, or something?

Me personally, I don't feel deprived for anything. I have all I want, and it just happens that I want less than a lot of other people do. No social statement, no carrying my own cross, just keeping things simple.

 

[Willie-T]

Here's a Teak & Tile, double drop-leaf dining table we just picked up for way under half-price at a local consignment shop. (The only way to shop for furniture.) We got a beautiful four-piece red oak bedroom suite there last year.

ATTACH]157570[/ATTACH]

 

[TemporaryCircumstances]

Here's a Teak & Tile, double drop-leaf dining table we just picked up for way under half-price at a local consignment shop. (The only way to shop for furniture.) We got a beautiful four-piece red oak bedroom suite there last year.

ATTACH]157570[/ATTACH] View attachment 157571

Ooo pretty
Our table might as well be a piece of plywood lol

 

[Eternallife]

Even though Christ doesn't say it until the end of Revelations that He will destroy those who destroy the earth we still need to take heed to what He is saying in that verse just like all the other instructions and warnings He gives us.

 

[Willie-T]

Ooo pretty
Our table might as well be a piece of plywood lol

We searched for nearly two years to find that deal.

 

[Eternallife]

We searched for nearly two years to find that deal.

I got my couch from one of those places it was real nice freshly sanitized and only 145 dollars. I would show you a pic but I have gotten a dog since then and I probably sit on it too much. Lol

 

[Willie-T]

I got my couch from one of those places it was real nice freshly sanitized and only 145 dollars. I would show you a pic but I have gotten a dog since then and I probably sit on it too much. Lol

Our regular old "coil burner" range was getting old, and my wife wanted a glass-top job. She would not let me get her one since most of them were $700 and upwards.

She finally found a store that sold appliances that timeshares were swapping out. The glass-top range we got was $179, but it looks like it had hardly even been used, and it cooks and bakes like a dream. My wife is thrilled.