Small Footprint, Big Handprint: How to Live Simply and Love Extravagantly

by Tri Robinson

What would you sacrifice to change the world? Your job? Your lifestyle? Your money?

We need a smaller footprint. The pursuit of the American dream has left most of us empty, stretched in nine different directions and self-absorbed. Aside from the occasional natural disaster, we've all but forgotten about the people around the world and down the street who need us and need us to live differently. We need to live more simply.

We want to make a bigger handprint. In a world crying out for help, we struggle to believe we can make a difference. But reformation starts with people who have one idea they believe can change their world and the power of God s love changes everything. We need to love more extravagantly.

The world is changing whether we like it or not. The question that begs to be answered is Will you sit by idly and watch it change for the worse or will you allow God to put you on the forefront of changing it for the better? Small Footprint, Big Handprint is your invitation to embark on a journey for the latter.

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2007

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concepts in Tri's latest book are great and the message is much needed. While not novel ideas by any means, I loved the way he paired the idea of reducing our footprint with increasing our handprint. However, the writing could have been better. If fact, from a proof reading standpoint I found more than a half dozen errors. Furthermore, the "Let's take a look at another king ..." and the reference to King Hezekiah on page 107 was completely out of place considering the example was Joseph. That being said, the book was a quick and easy read that will benefit and equip many in the church to render down their lives so as to love the world more extravagantly.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tri Robinson's book Small footprint, Big Handprint: How to live simply and love extravagantly is an interesting contribution to the simple living discussion. It doesn't really deal with the science of climate change or tackle the morality of capitalism or immorality of consumerism, they're taken as given.

Instead the heart of this little book (125 pages + study guide) focuses on the heart of a Christian. What, Tri asks, is your goal in life? To live extravagantly or love extravagantly? Which kingdom really has your heart? So here are his definitions of simple living:

"Simple living is a lifestyle that allows us to focus on the things that are most important to us, such as relationships both inside and outside our families, without being encumbered by an inordinate amount of responsibilities that demand our attention."

"Leaving a small footprint isn't about moving to the mountains or growing your own fruits and vegetables - it's about creating space in your life to do things that matter."

It's clear to him that, 'things that matter' doesn't include more possessions. A big handprint is a natural consequence of simpler living, we can devote ourselves to doing what is most important to us and to God and therefore make a greater impact with our lives. Simplicity starts with the heart and for a Christian listening to God. How should I live? What would you have me do? The second thing is a plan, simpler living doesn't just happen (he's right) and it needs some planning.

So this little book, from a Vineyard pastor (church of around 3,000) shows that at least some American Christian leaders of mega churches do care about these issues and that's a good thing. It's worth reading because it draws us back to God, and perhaps I'd recommend it to people who have never read a book on simpler living at all, but probably not to those who had. It may not add anything new.

PS. Anyone have any idea what Tri is short for?