These are my top 5 simple living book recommendations of 2022, for how to live a simple life. I have read a decent amount of simple living, and minimalism books. I read most of the top recommended ones, and these were my favorite books. They are a definite must read for anyone who is a Christian, and wants to learn more about how to live a simple life. There will be links to amazon where you can get these books for yourself if you choose. (Full Disclosure: They are amazon affiliate links.)
1. The Bible
https://amzn.to/3Jc12m3
There is no greater book than the Bible for instruction on how to live a simple, and happier life. The very life of Jesus was as simple as it gets. Jesus shows Christians the very best example of how we should live our lives. I have realized reading through the Bible more and more, that there are so many verses talking about this. Here is a few examples:
Luke 3:10-11
“What Should we do then?’ The crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
1 Thessalonians 4:9
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%206:6-8&version=ESV
2. Simplicity Parenting- By Kim John Payne
This book is a wealth of knowledge to the parent for how to live simply. He gives so many examples of how things effect children backed by research. It has become a book I recommend time and time again to parents who are looking to see the value in simple living for children. It will help give you lots of reasons for yourself, and your family members to see the benefits of living a simple life.
https://amzn.to/3r0rbOw
3. Biblical Minimalism-By Cheryl E. Smith
This book was the book that changed my life, other than the Bible. It impacted more than anything else I had read, excluding than the Bible. Cheryl gives her testimony as to why she chose to be a minimalist. She gives so many Bible verses in her book with details, showing Jesus lived very minimal.
I never knew before reading this book how simple living, and minimalism applied to the Christian life. There were so many verses she talks about that I had never read with open eyes before. A lot of people talk about how certain verses will impact your life in different times. When I minimized our home, I was in the mindset of being able to receive these verses. To truly see them in a very powerful way.
If you read any book from this list other than the Bible. This one would be my very top recommendation. Cheryl writes in such a beautiful way. Here is a quote from her book:
“A simple life calls to me. For a long time, I could not pinpoint why. Of course, I could identify the obvious benefits to living minimally- less stress, better health, a slower pace, and more time with the ones I love. But, as a Christian, I could discern that there was something deeper that consistently drew me in to this way of life. I finally realized it was Him. It is Jesus Christ the One Whose name I have taken as my own. It is for His name’s sake that I long to do this, and it is He Who gives me the will to lay aside the things of this world.”
4. An Unhurried Life-Alan Fadling
An Unhurried Life is all about how Jesus was unhurried, and how we should be as well. It is such a beautiful book that gives so many stories of Jesus being calm, and doing things in God’s timing. I really appreciated reading it. It is not specifically written about simplicity, but it is about slowing down. It’s about really doing things in God’s timing.
5. The More Of Less- By Joshua Becker
This book an an excellent book that talks about why minimizing your home is important, and how much better having less is. I love that Joshua Becker is a Christian Minimalist. He talks about this some in the book. Joshua Becker also has a youtube channel, blog, and is on social media sharing amazing quotes. I highly recommend any of his books, but this one was a favorite.
The More of Less in particular is Joshua Becker’s first book, and he explains more of his families journey to minimalism, and his experience to minimizing his home. This one is just great for someone who is new to minimalism, and simple living. His book “The Minimalist Home” is also great, and will give more of a step by step to decluttering.
In Conclusion
I hope that these are helpful for you, and that you enjoy all of them. They have been so meaningful to me in my minimalism, simple living journey. They are all different in the information they share, so there is not a redundancy of information, if you chose to read them all. Our family has greatly benefited from applying the principals of simple living, and minimalism. I fully believe that every Christian should be living more simply, so that they can help those in need. Minimalism is a beneficial for each family being able to more easily live in your means, and use the money for things that are truly important.
Please let me know if you have read any of these, and if you do end up reading them I would love to hear what you think!
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