Becca Ehrlich - Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Advance praise for Christian Minimalism

Ehrlichs insightful self-help guide will resonate with Christians wishing to streamline an overstuffed life.

Publishers Weekly

Becca Ehrlich offers an intimate look at her journey to Christian minimalism. She provides a practical guide that gives the reader the opportunity to experience holistic abundance through an encounter with a unique, God-centered minimalistic lifestyle.

The Rev. Patricia A. Davenport, Bishop, Southeastern
Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

This book is a must-read for every American Christian. Throughout the pages, Pastor Becca reveals that minimalism isnt just a trendy new concept but an unavoidable component of Christian discipleship in a consumeristic success-oriented society. Far from being a call to have less, Christian Minimalism offers a way to live more, and the applications are relevant to every area of life.

AJ Smith, Lead Pastor, Restoration Church, Philadelphia

I feared this book might be judgy and focused on a demanding regimen of minimizing. Instead, it is all about maximizing what matters most to each reader. Ehrlich weaves biblical themes and stories along with practical suggestions. Christian Minimalism is engaging and motivating, and more than anything, it is about love and joy.

Heidi Neumark, author of Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey
in the South Bronx and Hidden Inheritance:
Family Secrets, Memory, and Faith

Becca Ehrlich invites us to consider what we really need. Too often our lives are filled with the clutter of possessions and our personal busyness. This book reminds us that, like the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, God gives us all that we truly need. As we remember that God is our life and our source, the unnecessary falls away. We, therefore, live more fully the lives that Jesus wants for us. May this book be a blessing to you.

Bishop Michael L. Rhyne, Allegheny Synod,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

In a world that prioritizes getting everything right on the first try, Christian Minimalism is a refreshing grace-filled change of pace. If Mari Kondo and the Desert Fathers sat down for tea, this book would be the result of their conversation. Becca weaves together theology, prayer, and practical advice, helping us ask a question that all Christians would do well to ask: Is this life-giving, and does it draw me closer to God?

Callie Swanlund, creator of How2charist.com

Christian
Minimalism

Christian
Minimalism

Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Becca Ehrlich

Copyright 2021 by Becca Ehrlich

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Morehouse Publishing, 19 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016

Morehouse Publishing is an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated.
www.churchpublishing.org

Cover design by Paul Soupiset
Typeset by PerfecType, Nashville, Tennessee

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ehrlich, Becca, author.

Title: Christian minimalism : simple steps for abundant living / Becca Ehrlich.

Description: New York : Morehouse Publishing, [2021]

Identifiers: LCCN 2020045672 (print) | LCCN 2020045673 (ebook) | ISBN 9781640653887 (paperback) | ISBN 9781640653894 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Simplicity--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Classification: LCC BV4647.S48 E37 2021 (print) | LCC BV4647.S48 (ebook) | DDC 248.4--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020045672

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020045673

Minimalism and
the Christian Life

W hat do you think of when you hear the word minimalism? Do you picture an almost-empty room devoid of color or furnishings, except maybe a bed? Literally nothing else exists in this room. Bonus points if the room has glass walls.

Minimalism is nothing like that picture, which is about what isnt thereand thats only half the story. That picture represents an extreme version of a lack of things that is unsustainable.

Minimalism is prescriptive rather than restrictive, which means it is going to look different among those who decide to adopt a minimalistic lifestyle. Its a way of thinking and being, of living in the world rather than a lack of everything. My working definition of minimalism is:

A focus on the aspects of life that matter most and intentionally removing everything else.

What, then, are the aspects of life that matter most? Some of those are universal for virtually everyone. I think we can all agree that relationships in our lives matter, whether they are with family, friends, or a significant other. I think we can also agree that taking care of ourselves mattersbody, mind, and spiritwhich includes having something that we are passionate about to get us out of bed in the morning. For a lot of people, a big part of the minimalist lifestyle is lessening their attachment to material goods by buying, consuming, and owning less.

Consumption is not bad in itself. We have to consume to live, and we can strive to intentionally consume. Minimalists strive to avoid mindless consumption and only buy and keep the things that they need or add value to their life.

Some minimalists sell everything and live as nomads, owning only the things they can carry with them. Some live in and own homes, have one or two cars, and collect things like stamps or magnets or funny comic strips. Many live between these two categories. Minimalism is a lifestyle that can be tailored to what works for you and those you live with. It is much more than buying and owning less. Its about refocusing life to gain the freedom that comes from more time, more energy, and more financial resources. Its about focusing on what matters most.

Christian Minimalism

Christian minimalism aims to connect this minimalist lifestyle with the Christian faith. Jesus said, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Living an abundant, or full, life is what Jesus wants for us. That full life includes spending our time and energy and resources on what matters most, which means removing anything that keeps us from living that abundant life Jesus wants for us.