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Living With Less: An Unexpected Key to Happiness
Since the day you were born, you've been told to pursue more. Ads from every TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, billboard, and website constantly scream at you with the message that more is better.
But more is not necessarily better, declares Joshua Becker, a pastor, author, and blogger. There's a far better way to live life, he says a way that recognizes the empty promises of consumerism and champions the pursuit of living simply and scripturally.
In Living With Less, Joshua will guide you through biblical teachings on possessions and his own personal experience with minimalism living with only the essential. You'll see how his life was transformed by this Jesus-centered choice that rejects the flow of our culture. This book will challenge you to spend your hours, energy, and resources in ways that draw you closer to the heart of Jesus.
But more is not necessarily better, declares Joshua Becker, a pastor, author, and blogger. There's a far better way to live life, he says a way that recognizes the empty promises of consumerism and champions the pursuit of living simply and scripturally.
In Living With Less, Joshua will guide you through biblical teachings on possessions and his own personal experience with minimalism living with only the essential. You'll see how his life was transformed by this Jesus-centered choice that rejects the flow of our culture. This book will challenge you to spend your hours, energy, and resources in ways that draw you closer to the heart of Jesus.
114 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2012
23 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Becker
22 books816 followersJoshua Becker is the #1 Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of The Minimalist Home, The More of Less, Things That Matter, Clutterfree with Kids and Simplify.
He is the Founder and Editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website dedicated to intentional living. His websites are read by over 1 million readers every month and has a social media following of over 4 million.
His blog was named by SUCCESS Magazine as one of the top ten personal development websites on the Internet and his writing has been featured in publications all around the world.
He is also the co-creator of Simplify Media, the parent company of Simplify Magazine and Simple Money Magazine.
Joshua and his young family were introduced to minimalism twelve years ago during a short conversation with their neighbor. Since then, Joshua’s story and writing have inspired millions around the world to find more life by owning fewer possessions. Today, based on his thoughtful and intentional approach to minimalism, he is one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement.
He is also the Founder of The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. Currently, he lives in Peoria, AZ with his wife and two young adult children.
His online course, Uncluttered, has helped over 95,000 people declutter their homes and live a more intentional life because of it.
His app, Clutterfree, is the only app to create a personalized, room-by-room decluttering to-do list for an individual’s unique home.
And his YouTube channel has over 350,000 subscribers.
He is the Founder and Editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website dedicated to intentional living. His websites are read by over 1 million readers every month and has a social media following of over 4 million.
His blog was named by SUCCESS Magazine as one of the top ten personal development websites on the Internet and his writing has been featured in publications all around the world.
He is also the co-creator of Simplify Media, the parent company of Simplify Magazine and Simple Money Magazine.
Joshua and his young family were introduced to minimalism twelve years ago during a short conversation with their neighbor. Since then, Joshua’s story and writing have inspired millions around the world to find more life by owning fewer possessions. Today, based on his thoughtful and intentional approach to minimalism, he is one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement.
He is also the Founder of The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. Currently, he lives in Peoria, AZ with his wife and two young adult children.
His online course, Uncluttered, has helped over 95,000 people declutter their homes and live a more intentional life because of it.
His app, Clutterfree, is the only app to create a personalized, room-by-room decluttering to-do list for an individual’s unique home.
And his YouTube channel has over 350,000 subscribers.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 12, 2019
I thought this was a book on minimalism (a.k.a. Throw all your possessions away = will make you happier). However, it’s a Christ-centered philosophy book. A person who looks intrinsically for happiness benefits now from selflessness, sharing joy and a life based on love. It’s an eternal perspective that starts in this life. It suggests that a person stuck on materialism and the accumulation of “stuff” is a ploy from the Adversary. And the Adversary wants to keep any individual so far removed from Jesus that most people don’t really know who Jesus was and is.
These are the key concepts from the author on why he chose Minimalism:
1. Refocus on “The things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts.”
2. Removal of not just physical clutter but choosing opportunities that bring emotional peace, less time commitments to activities that are not so important.
3. Stop spending money based on consumer incentivized SALES when lots of those “Sales” were just building closet clutter rather than satisfaction. Instead, found organizations and charities to financially assist. This brought a real and lasting source of happiness while contributing to a local and global community well-being.
4. Minimalism is NOT ‘living on nothing.’ Find what’s essential to you and eliminate the other cumbersome trappings, be it physical items or time consuming activities. Each family’s essentials will look different based on what that family values.
5. New phases in life are natural; new hobbies, etc. A new focus can shift what each family decides to let go of or bring into their lives physically or in time commitments. The importance is not placed on ‘what’ rules your life, but in the effort of purposeful living.
These are the key concepts from the author on why he chose Minimalism:
1. Refocus on “The things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts.”
2. Removal of not just physical clutter but choosing opportunities that bring emotional peace, less time commitments to activities that are not so important.
3. Stop spending money based on consumer incentivized SALES when lots of those “Sales” were just building closet clutter rather than satisfaction. Instead, found organizations and charities to financially assist. This brought a real and lasting source of happiness while contributing to a local and global community well-being.
4. Minimalism is NOT ‘living on nothing.’ Find what’s essential to you and eliminate the other cumbersome trappings, be it physical items or time consuming activities. Each family’s essentials will look different based on what that family values.
5. New phases in life are natural; new hobbies, etc. A new focus can shift what each family decides to let go of or bring into their lives physically or in time commitments. The importance is not placed on ‘what’ rules your life, but in the effort of purposeful living.
March 19, 2017
It's my own fault for not reading the back cover but I'm surprised at how much space you can dedicate to Bible studies while writing a book about minimalism...
The book has some fine messages about living with less but unfortunately the messages are almost drowned out by quotes from the scriptures and the wish to live life in the spirit of Jesus.
The book has some fine messages about living with less but unfortunately the messages are almost drowned out by quotes from the scriptures and the wish to live life in the spirit of Jesus.
December 3, 2014
Living With Less reminds me a lot of the book More or Less by Jeff Shinarbarger. The main difference is Living With Less is written for students-making it a quick read with action steps that teenagers can do to practice minimalism. Joshua Becker, the author, focuses a lot on the benefit of living with less from a Christian perspective. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Mat. 6:21
Benefit #1 Save money/reduce debt
Benefit #2 Live in a small space
Benefit #3 Easier to clean
Benefit #4 Easier to find stuff
Benefit #5 Less stress
Benefit #6 Good for the environment
Benefit #7 More time for things that matter most
Benefit #8 Be happier
Benefit #9 Pick a career you love
Benefit #10 Freedom from the comparison game
Benefit #11 Less likely to be influenced by consumeristic culture
Benefit #12 Fewer places for your heart to go
Benefit #13 An example to others
"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer." Jim Carey
Benefit #1 Save money/reduce debt
Benefit #2 Live in a small space
Benefit #3 Easier to clean
Benefit #4 Easier to find stuff
Benefit #5 Less stress
Benefit #6 Good for the environment
Benefit #7 More time for things that matter most
Benefit #8 Be happier
Benefit #9 Pick a career you love
Benefit #10 Freedom from the comparison game
Benefit #11 Less likely to be influenced by consumeristic culture
Benefit #12 Fewer places for your heart to go
Benefit #13 An example to others
"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer." Jim Carey
January 12, 2017
Mostly great. Our culture definitely needs to hear the message that our lives are more than our stuff.
My only fault with this book is that the author seems to give the concept too much significance when it comes to what Jesus taught. Yes, Jesus really said all the things the author said that He said, and Jesus probably meant what the author said He meant, but the author's conclusion at the end of the book that Jesus offers us a life of more accomplishments through living with less is simply not true. Jesus calls us to view possessions a certain way so that He is our God, and not those things. We can just as easily make living with less an idol in our lives. To his credit, I believe the author made that point as well in his book.
Overall, a great little book that gives encouragement and instructions to battle the consumerist mindset so common today, both inside and outside the church.
My only fault with this book is that the author seems to give the concept too much significance when it comes to what Jesus taught. Yes, Jesus really said all the things the author said that He said, and Jesus probably meant what the author said He meant, but the author's conclusion at the end of the book that Jesus offers us a life of more accomplishments through living with less is simply not true. Jesus calls us to view possessions a certain way so that He is our God, and not those things. We can just as easily make living with less an idol in our lives. To his credit, I believe the author made that point as well in his book.
Overall, a great little book that gives encouragement and instructions to battle the consumerist mindset so common today, both inside and outside the church.
September 25, 2012
Living with Less is an easy, but great read. It's geared for students, and as a youth pastor, it's a great book to read in a small group setting. I love the message of living with less and it's a message that needs to be taught in our consumer society. Highly recommended for teachers, youth pastors, students and all others who work with teens!
July 24, 2021
A must read!
For people buying more and more but still not happy. The answer is in this book!
Everything Mr. Becker writes is worth reading!
For people buying more and more but still not happy. The answer is in this book!
Everything Mr. Becker writes is worth reading!
March 21, 2020
This book is designed as a guide for teenagers. The author is teaching about focusing on gaining love, joy, peace, kindreds, goodness and more; other than focusing on gain possessions. It parallels the life of Jesus and some of his teaching to minimalism and the pursuit of living with less. Great book for teens/university age kids.
May 21, 2024
I read this book because I would like to here this author speak later on this summer. I wanted to get a feel for the platform this author speaks about. I found I agree for the most part with this author, he inspired me to really look at what I do, and purchase. I am hoping to work towards a less cluttered and simplified home and life.
December 30, 2017
Simplistic in its teachings, Becker explains and encourages the reader to contemplate Jesus' teachings and how they resonate with a minimalist lifestyle. Intended audience - students/teenagers. Good, short, informative read.
November 13, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for adults
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for students
I read this to see if it would be suitable for my students! There are parts of it I really loved And a few parts I didn’t. Good far outweighs the bad and I could see using this with some of my youth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for students
I read this to see if it would be suitable for my students! There are parts of it I really loved And a few parts I didn’t. Good far outweighs the bad and I could see using this with some of my youth.
December 30, 2017
Though he's preaching to the choir, I enjoy seeing how others cleaned up, cleared out, and enjoy living with less.
October 26, 2018
This is a relatively short book argues that we live in a culture which is addicted to stuff. Unlike several books I have read from the "minimalist" perspective, rather than making minimalist a goal in itself, the author sees minimalism as a path to a life of love and service. The book is light on suggestions about how to practically live out this sort of life, but I think that's ok, because each person's journey will be different.
April 18, 2015
I love how he shares Biblical verses that help us to understand how Jesus supported not only living with less but being generous with what we have whether it's money, stuff, time or talent. An easy read and applicable to adults, too.
February 10, 2016
Good, VERY SHORT book with solid stuff (but almost everything is already on his blog). A book more for convincing people to be minimalists, not necessarily tips and pointers on "how to". He's a Christian too so lots of scripture regarding how God didn't intend for us to be hoarding stuff.
February 12, 2015
There are 10 better books out there on simplicity/minimalism. Maybe I'm reading too many along this theme at the same time because they are all starting to run together and say the same thing.
September 22, 2016
Very simple and easy going idea, but very powerful and life changing at the same time.
November 7, 2021
I appreciated what Joshua Becker had to say on this topic. He is very good on this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews