This post is all about using Biblical minimalist ideas to transform your life by drawing you closer to God.
Here, I will outline how you can grow in five key areas of your life. These include: heart and mind shifts, simplifying your home, simplifying your time and schedule, improving relationships and community, and finding balance in the digital world.
Keep reading to see how your life can be radically changed by implementing these Biblical minimalist ideas today!
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How Biblical minimalism differs from mainstream minimalist ideas
Minimalism is all about learning the art of slowing down and simplifying. It involves reducing the clutter in your life so you can spend time on the things you enjoy. At its root, minimalism is taking away and reducing everything that is unnecessary.
Biblical minimalism takes it a step further by starting with the end goal of becoming closer to Christ. Using the tools learned from minimalist ideas, Christians are able to make room for God by getting rid of anything in their lives that does not bring them closer to God or add value to their lives.
Live simply with focus on Christ
In todays world it is easy to become overwhelmed by clutter. Input from friends, family, influencers, ads, and other media tells you that you need to be more. You need to do more. You need to have more.
It becomes easy for priorities and values to get lost in the bombardment of everything you are told you need to own or spend time on.
The ideas and tools of Biblical minimalism
In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells of a farmer that scattered seed which fell on different areas, “some fell some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop” (Matthew 13:1-9).
Biblical minimalism gives you the tools to pull the weeds and remove the rocks so that your live is planted firmly on the good soil of Christ.
The transformative power of Biblical minimalist ideas
21 practical, biblical ideas for a simpler, Christ-focused life.
- Seek first the kingdom of God
- Be content with what you have
- The simplicity of lacking nothing
- Take every though captive
- Live abundantly in God
- Practice stewardship, not ownership
- Redefine your treasures
- Let your home reflect peace, not perfection
- Use what you have
- Give generously
- Practice sabbath rest
- Say no to good things so you can say yes to God things
- Live intentionally, not reactively
- Be still and know God
- Choose presence over productivity
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Surround yourself with Godly influences
- Practice hospitality without perfection
- Fill your mind with what is true
- Guard your heart online
- Fast from social media regularly
Biblical minimalist ideas for heart and mind shifts
Before you begin taking any actionable steps toward minimalist, you first need to make sure you heart is right with God. Here are my best ideas to help you shift your mindset to kingdom thinking.
Seek first the Kingdom of God
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. {Matthew 6:33}
Biblical minimalism starts with the ideas that you are focused on eternal priorities rather than worldly gain. This world tells us to live for today, seeking all of the comforts and pleasures life has to offer. However, these comforts are usually fleeting and seeking them leaves us wanting for something more. Instead of focusing on today, find ways you can renew your mind to focus of God and His kingdom.
Related post: Do Not Worry – God’s Command to Never Be Anxious
Learn to be content
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {1 Timothy 6:6-7}
Often we feel overwhelmed, rushed, and worn out because we are constantly striving for the thing the world tells us are important. Instead of hitting the daily grind to gain things you neither want or need, learn to rest secure in God’s provision.
The simplicity of lacking nothing
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. {Psalm 23:1-3}
Learn to embrace the simplicity of everyday life and reject hustle culture. Take time to slow down in the mornings to hear the birds sing and contemplate God’s great love and provision for you. Or watch the sunrise on the way to work and consider the creator of the universe. Spend an afternoon in the sun in awe of your savior.
Take every though captive
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. {2 Corinthians 10:5}
Simplify the mental clutter of your life by focusing on the truth of God and rejecting the lies of the world. Instead of being consumed by a running to-do list in your head, or the endless ads you’re bombarded with daily, focus your thoughts on Christ. Whenever you notice a thought that is not from God pop into your mind, find a way to redirect it so that everything in your life is obedient to God.
Related post: Take Every Though Captive – How to Live in Obedience to Christ
Live abundantly in God
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. {John 10:10}
Minimalism is all about removing anything and everything that is unnecessary from your life. But Biblical minimalism acknowledges the powerful truth that God fills every area of your life with abundant blessings. When practicing minimalist values, remember that the goal is not living life devoid of possessions. Rather, the Goal of these Biblical minimalist ideas is living life in the full abundance and grace that God gives.
Biblical minimalist ideas for simplifying your home
Although the Bible never mentions minimalism specifically (the term didn’t exist yet), there are many verses that point to the ideas offered in Biblical minimalism and simplifying your home.
Practice stewardship, not ownership
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. {Psalm 24:1}
Recognize that everything belongs to God. You are merely a steward of the blessings and gifts He has given you to enjoy while you are on this earth. From this perspective, possessions lose some of their attachments, and it is easier to let them go. Enjoy what you have, but let this mindset help inform your decisions about what to keep what their value is.
Redefine your treasures
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. {Matthew 6:19-21}
One of the things that separates minimalism from biblical minimalist ideas it the classification of treasure. Minimalists then to specify their possessions as treasure, lovingly displaying the most important for all to see. Biblical minimalism, however, encourages you to declutter attachment to possessions by investing in eternal things. This is possible when you declutter with discernment – pray over what to keep and choose items that serve God’s purposes in your home.
Let your home reflect peace, not perfection
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. {Colossians 3:15-17}
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the pinterest perfect home. Whether you have just bought a new home and you are excited to decorate your space, or you are trying to remodel an old home or room, pinterest is often at the forefront of our minds. Instead of trying to create an instagram-worthy home, focus on creating a restful, welcoming space where the peace of God is evident to all who come in.
Use what you have
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. {Luke 12:15}
Avoid overconsumption by creatively using what God has already provided. Rather than being consumed by the latest and greatest product, practice contentment by using what you have. It is easy to get caught up in sponsorships, ads, and influencers, but this mindset can often lead to jealousy and ungratefulness. Instead, enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you can make do without.
Give Generously
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. {2 Corinthians 9:7}
Perhaps you are using your newfound freedom of minimalism to declutter and give to those in need. Or maybe you are using the extra money saved from not shopping to bless others. Whatever your case may be, give Biblical minimalists choose to give generously because they know they have been blessed abundantly by God.
Biblical minimalist ideas for simplifying your time and schedule
Minimalism is not just about possessions, it is also about decluttering your schedule so you have time to focus on what matters. Here are some biblical minimalist ideas to help you begin simplifying your time today.
Practice sabbath rest
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. {Exodus 20:8-10}
Do you practice setting aside time to rest and be in God’s presence? Over and over all throughout the Bible, we are reminded of the importance of rest and spending time with God. Make this a priority in your life and your schedule will shift accordingly.
say no to good things so you can say yes to God things
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. {Philippians 1:9-11}
Instead of prioritizing good things in life (and there are many) take time to discern what the things of God are. When you lean into God and use His wisdom to make decisions in your life, you will find yourself naturally embracing the things of God and discerning what is best in your life.
live intentionally, not reactively
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. {Ephesians 5:15-17}
Plan your days with wisdom and purpose. Instead of allowing yourself to be pulled along by the whim of others, intentionally schedule your time with things of value. prioritize spending time in God’s word, fellowship with other believers, and community with friends and family. Take time to enjoy the people who matter while spending less time distracted by your phone.
Be still and know God
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” {Psalm 46:10}
Create margin in your schedule for silence, prayer, and scripture. Take time to be still before God. This will allow you to hear from Him, worship Him, exalt Him, and be filled with His peace. When we intentionally slow down and quiet our hearts, we make room to truly know God—not just know about Him. Stillness helps us listen for His voice, respond in worship, and recognize His presence in the everyday. It’s in these quiet moments that we are filled with His peace and reminded that He alone is God, exalted above all.
Related Post: How to Be Still Before God
Biblical minimalist ideas for improving relationships and community
Christians are called to be in community with other believers. However, we often let the clutter of our possessions or schedules crowd out the community we seek. Here are some biblical minimalist ideas to help you overcome this common pitfall.
Choose presence over productivity
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:38-42}
Don’t overfill your calendar – make room for what matters most. Martha was so worried about having everything perfect that she forgot to spend time with Jesus. Mary, however, realized that time with Jesus was the most important thing and everything else could wait. Sometimes we get so caught up in the preparations, just like Martha, that we forget to say yes to the things of God. Find ways to focus on being present with your family, community, and God
“Love people, use things. The opposite never works.” – The Minimalists
Love your neighbor as yourself
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. {Mark 12:31}
Simplify your life to make space for deeper connection and service. This can include cutting out the clutter in your home so you spend less time cleaning and more time with family. Or maybe you simplify your schedule by evaluating your priorities so that you can dedicate yourself to a service project you love. Or perhaps you need to delete a few social media apps so you can be present with those around you. Whatever the case may be for you, find small yet simple ways to love your neighbor more intentionally.
surround yourself with Godly influences
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. {Proverbs 13:20}
The people we spend time with shape our thoughts, habits, and spiritual direction. Biblical minimalism invites us to be intentional not just with our possessions, but with our relationships. Seek friendships that point you to Christ—people who encourage your faith, speak truth with love, and live with godly wisdom. When we walk closely with those who love God, we’re more likely to grow in wisdom and stay grounded in truth. Let go of relationships that consistently pull you away from God, and make room for the ones that draw you closer to Him.
practice hospitality without perfection
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. {Romans 12:13}
One of the ideas behind biblical minimalism is taking time for hospitality. In today’s world, it almost feels like hospitality is dead. Not many people invite others over anymore, even though we all crave deep human connection. One of the reasons for this is because we feel our homes don’t compare to those we see on social media. Here is your reminder that you can invite others in, even when your home or life isn’t perfect. Chances are, those you welcome into your home also don’t have a picture perfect home all the time either. They will just be happy to experience genuine connection and friendship.
Biblical minimalist ideas for finding balance in the digital world
The distractions presented by the digital world may be the biggest reason your life feels chaotic and cluttered. Here are some Biblical minimalist ideas to help you overcome the overwhelm.
fill your mind with what is true
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. {Philippians 4:8}
One of the many problems in today’s digital world is the massive influx of content into your life. Everything from new clothes or gadgets to buy, opinions about marriage or family, and random stories that raise anxiety assault your feed. The best ideas regarding biblical minimalism in a digital world is to fill your mind with what is true before any lies can creep in. Find ways to replace digital noise with truth. This can be found in scripture, worship, and edifying content.
Guard your heart online
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. {Proverbs 4:23}
Similar to the point above, you need to be intentional about what you consume digitally. Cut out anything from your feeds that distracts you and takes time away from family, community, and God. Additionally, remove any influences that discourage you or leave you feeling inadequate. Remember that God has placed you where you are for a purpose, and comparing yourself to others will not help you live in that purpose.
Fast from social media regularly
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. {Psalm 119:37}
Sometimes it is not enough to try to guard your heart online. In order to fill your heart with what is true, you may need to take regular fasts from social media. Doing so will allow you to create time and space for rest, prayer, and the presence of God. Often, it is only by intentionally unplugging from the digital world that you can be fully present in the concrete world.
Biblical minimalist ideas to take with you today
There are so many ideas and ways to practice Biblical minimalism. Here, I shared with you my favorite tips for living a minimalist lifestyle. Which one will you implement today?
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