“I know it is possible to live with zero money. Abundantly.”
Daniel Suelo in The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen
I just read an excellent book titled The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen. Though I cannot agree with nor endorse all of the philosophies espoused in the work, I was struck by this story of an ordinary man who found happiness and security in choosing to live outside the monetary exchange system. He does not spend or earn money, but lives a very fulfilling and satisfying life, traveling, meeting people, writing, volunteering and engaging with others.
I don’t think I have ever heard of anyone who so well lives out the message of Matthew 6:25. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes? (NIV). Mr. Suelo does not worry about where his next meal might come from. He does not worry about clothing or about where he will sleep. And yet, he keeps himself fed and clothed. He claims no property and often lives outdoors. He is the ultimate up-cycler, scavenging useful objects from what others discard. He will accept gifts only if freely offered (and is of the opinion that welfare and food stamps, being financed from mandatory taxes, are not freely offered). If anyone insists on giving him money, he in turn gives it away.
The true test of the book’s message came from reading passages aloud to my husband, the consummate professional in the art of fretting. He enjoyed hearing about how circumstances seemed to work themselves out when the protagonist refused to worry about them and chose to believe that everything happens for a reason. The message of the book seemed to resonate with my husband, and for the rest of the afternoon, he was as relaxed as I have ever seen him.
In reading this book, I was reminded anew of how little we really should desire to obtain. It seems that life gets faster and crazier by the minute. And of course, we have to keep up. We have to work hard to achieve career success to be able to afford two cars, and good colleges for the kids, and a nice house with lots of nice things to fill up the nice house. Or do we?
Not that I believe there is anything wrong with working to provide for one’s family. There’s nothing wrong with holding down and job and striving to give our employers our best. We should work hard and we should be productive people. But, just perhaps, has our definition of “productive” strayed from God’s definition? Perhaps we should worry less about financial success and focus more on loving others?
I long for a simplified life. I’d like to devote more time to making our house a happy home, and if it’s never outfitted with the latest appliances and gadgets, who really cares? I’d like to spend weekend mornings in quiet reflection, watching the snow fall or watching deer graze on the spring and early summer grass. If that means my house isn’t spotless, what does it matter in the long run? I’ve decided to devote more time to my friends and neighbors and less time to what doesn’t matter.
Jesus promised that he came offering an abundant life to his followers (John 10:10), and I am quite sure he didn’t mean an abundance of stuff or money. I believe true abundance comes from being content, spending time in the presence of God so that his peace and joy fills our lives, and then loving others and letting that peace and joy overflow to them.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
I don’t think I have ever heard of anyone who so well lives out the message of Matthew 6:25. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes? (NIV). Mr. Suelo does not worry about where his next meal might come from. He does not worry about clothing or about where he will sleep. And yet, he keeps himself fed and clothed. He claims no property and often lives outdoors. He is the ultimate up-cycler, scavenging useful objects from what others discard. He will accept gifts only if freely offered (and is of the opinion that welfare and food stamps, being financed from mandatory taxes, are not freely offered). If anyone insists on giving him money, he in turn gives it away.
The true test of the book’s message came from reading passages aloud to my husband, the consummate professional in the art of fretting. He enjoyed hearing about how circumstances seemed to work themselves out when the protagonist refused to worry about them and chose to believe that everything happens for a reason. The message of the book seemed to resonate with my husband, and for the rest of the afternoon, he was as relaxed as I have ever seen him.
In reading this book, I was reminded anew of how little we really should desire to obtain. It seems that life gets faster and crazier by the minute. And of course, we have to keep up. We have to work hard to achieve career success to be able to afford two cars, and good colleges for the kids, and a nice house with lots of nice things to fill up the nice house. Or do we?
Not that I believe there is anything wrong with working to provide for one’s family. There’s nothing wrong with holding down and job and striving to give our employers our best. We should work hard and we should be productive people. But, just perhaps, has our definition of “productive” strayed from God’s definition? Perhaps we should worry less about financial success and focus more on loving others?
I long for a simplified life. I’d like to devote more time to making our house a happy home, and if it’s never outfitted with the latest appliances and gadgets, who really cares? I’d like to spend weekend mornings in quiet reflection, watching the snow fall or watching deer graze on the spring and early summer grass. If that means my house isn’t spotless, what does it matter in the long run? I’ve decided to devote more time to my friends and neighbors and less time to what doesn’t matter.
Jesus promised that he came offering an abundant life to his followers (John 10:10), and I am quite sure he didn’t mean an abundance of stuff or money. I believe true abundance comes from being content, spending time in the presence of God so that his peace and joy fills our lives, and then loving others and letting that peace and joy overflow to them.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV)