It took us years to get here. We sold our big house, sold anything not nailed down, and bought a tiny barn in the country. We built the staircase with our own hands, and our kids raised a wall into place. It’s really simple here. The footprint of our house is 30’x30,’ and eight of us do all our living under this one gable roof. But it’s everything we’ve ever wanted. We sit on a little ridge of land with big trees and big breezes. The kids are growing up and we are growing older—not much else happens out here. While we were still tearing out walls inside, we painted the outside black and named the place Ravenridge with this verse in mind:
Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? (Luke 12:24).
Our thirties were hard years for us, and we truly learned that God’s provision was our only hope and security. In the testimony of Scripture and in our own lives, we saw again and again that God provides for His people, giving us everything they need. We work hard, we do our best, we plant seeds, but the Lord makes them grow. And then we realized we have nothing to fear in life or in death because He is our security. We are so tempted to “set [our] hope on the uncertainty of wealth” (1Timothy 6:17), but that’s not where true happiness lies.
When you are anxious, remember: “Don’t be afraid… because your Father delights to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Small living might not be for you. (Goodness knows, I’m so grateful for my friends with pools and big spaces for hosting!) But the discipline of simplicity is for everyone. Our Father loves us and He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), so don’t sweat your one cow—or car. Can you think of a time you have seen the Church as the hands and the feet of the gospel in hand-me-downs or casseroles?
Consider the ravens. Consider the flowers of the field. Consider the fatherly kindness and provision of our God. Indeed, Christian simplicity is rooted in God’s fatherly love. He desires to give us the kingdom. Therefore, we may have childlike faith, and not be ruled by the worries, fear, or desires of the world. Simply seek Christ and His kingdom. Hear Him whispering to you now:
Don’t be afraid, little flock.
Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?
How much more will your Father do for you—you of little faith?
We need much less than we think. And our Father provides what we need. Sometimes it is just enough, and sometimes it’s abundantly more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Practice walking in faith and simplicity, for your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
Written by Caleb and Rebecca Faires
The pandemic has made our budget tighter since I had to take a year of leave from my job to support my kids in virtual learning. This has made me reflect on each purchase and taught me about what I need to buy and what I just want to buy. God has continued to meet our needs each month and provided joy in simpler activities as a family.
❤️
❤️
This is a lesson I’m constantly having to relearn and redirect my spending and desires. I’m enjoying this season of wanting less and spending less. But it usually comes after a spending spree or two for me. But slowly I’m learning and adjusting my lifestyle. Having less things to clutter my space, mind, closet, and deductions on my bank account feels good. But I am also someone who falls in love with things, not even expensive things. But I can catch myself loving things for sure. My self esteem and self worth get very low when I feel like I’ve been “bad” with my spending/money. But I know that’s not right either.
Dianne, thank you for sharing your story about your trip to Honduras. Your statement about wanting to make everything better or figuring out how to have better, struck a chord with me. It moved me to tears. I have been struggling with worry about some loved ones lately, and instead of seeing God‘s provision for them, I have taken on the burden of always figuring out how to make it better, and wondering if what they have is the best and trying to figure out how I can provide that. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom about this tendency to assume all responsibility. I know that means that I am not trusting Him and taking too much of a burden upon my shoulders. I can, thank you for sharing your story. It prompted me to examine my own attitudes toward God’s provision and care.
@HEIDI – Thank you for your perspective. I absolutely agree that much of the pain and struggling around the world is due not to God’s shortcomings but to ours. So thankful that people answered His call to help your family.
I recommend the book ‘The Hole in our Gospel’ by Richard Stearns – it’s about how much poverty could be eradicated if many of us Christians lived less selfishly and less extravagantly. https://www.christianbook.com/anniversary-edition-expect-answer-changed-change/richard-stearns/9780785228677/pd/228670?event=CFCER1
@kelly, do you personally know someone from Hondurus that is a righteous person that is starving? Yes Job suffered, we were never told the righteous would not suffer. Show me an example in the Bible where God allowed a righteous person to starve. God promised us He would provide for our basic needs and He also promised us we would face harships
and trials, those are not starvation for the context of the scriptures. He also said if a man would not work he should not eat. I never said we should close off out hearts to those starving. We also must be careful not to enable laziness or other sins that lead to starvation. I do agree with you that corruption leads to much of the starvation we see but I also know that God will see that the righteous will have food and clothing from the promises in the word. I believe this is what the word teaches but I respect your perspective on it and I think we should all have more compassion on those facing hardship and sufferings of all kinds.