Faith Quick Charge - The Fullness of Less

The paradox of biblically living with less - we end up with more.

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“I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

When most people think of simplicity, they picture a life of scarcity. Less stuff, fewer distractions, cutting back, giving up. But Jesus never calls us to emptiness - He calls us to fullness. The paradox of biblical simplicity is that when we let go of excess, we don’t end up with less. We make room for more of what truly satisfies.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Yet how often do we settle for a life that is cluttered, rushed, and drained? We hold onto distractions, possessions, and ambitions that promise happiness, but instead, they leave us exhausted. We fear that if we simplify, we will be missing out. But in reality, simplicity clears the way for the richness of a life centered on Christ.

David understood this when he wrote, “You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). In a world that constantly tells us to fill our lives with more, this is a radical image. A cup that is already overflowing is complete - it lacks nothing. When we allow God to fill our lives, we stop grasping for things that do not satisfy.

Jonathan Edwards wrote, “He who has Christ, who is infinitely rich, has an inexhaustible fountain of blessings and happiness.” The pursuit of more is never-ending, but contentment in Christ is the only fullness that satisfies.

Think about a cluttered room. When every surface is covered, when every shelf is full, there is no space for anything new. But when we clear out what is unnecessary, the room feels brighter, more open. In the same way, when we simplify our hearts - removing distractions, unnecessary striving, misplaced priorities - we open them up to joy, peace, and deeper intimacy with God.

Matthew Henry observed, “When God is our portion, we have enough. We need not envy the great men of the earth, for we have more than they.” True abundance is not found in accumulation but in recognizing that Christ alone is enough.

John Calvin taught that “The happiness of the godly is not found in earthly possessions, but in the spiritual blessings that flow from communion with God.” Biblical simplicity is not about deprivation but about being rich in what truly matters.

Simplicity does not mean loss. It means we stop chasing things that deplete us so we can receive what truly fills us. What if, instead of asking, "What do I need to give up?" we asked, "What does God want to pour into my life? How can I intentionally create space for His blessings to fill?"

The fullness of less is found in making space for the abundance of Christ by giving from what we have received. Never forget the truth of these words from James: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17 NIV)

Author’s Note - In various posts this month I will be exploring the Christian discipline of simplicity and the many ways it touches and enriches Christian living in today’s world. I hope you will join me for this special teaching series.

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