Bible Verses About Minimalism, Contentment + Simple Living
My faith is one of the main reasons I choose to live a simpler life. Yes, there are mental health benefits. Financial gains. A sense of peace. But a life filled with contentment is so clearly outlined in the Bible that it’s hard to ignore. Over and over again, the scriptures warn against greed and a love for money and material things — and simultaneously encourage contentment, trust in God, and a deliberate focus on the eternal.
While he never uses the term “minimalism” or anything remotely resembling the buzz words of today, Jesus’ teachings clearly reflect the overall messaging of this movement. His very life was simple — and he spoke clearly about money, most notably in the Sermon on the Mount (specifically in the second half of Matthew 6).
Don’t be fooled — my gathering of these verses in no way means I have them all figured out or mastered. I am consistently working on practicing contentment (that’s why it’s a “practice”) and focusing my attention on heavenly things. But that also means I fail time and time again.
Another quick disclaimer: I realize that a list of Bible verses plucked from their pages can do a great disservice to the oh-so-important player in biblical teaching: Context™. Each excerpt plays a role in a larger story, whether in the Old or New Testament. Yet I would argue the Bible as a whole paints a pretty clear picture about God’s opinion on these subjects.
I also want to add that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” has an entirely different meaning than “money is the root of all evil” (SPOILER: the former is the actual verse). With this particular verse (and many others on this list!), the posture of the heart towards an object is the cause of disconnection and destruction — not the object itself.
Philippians 4:11–13 (NIV):
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
1 Timothy 6:6–10 (NIV):
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV):
“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV):
“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV):
“A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV):
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God
has said,
‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Romans 12:16 (NIV):
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
Matthew 6:25 (NIV):
“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 not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Proverbs 16:8 (NIV):
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.”
Luke 12:15 (NIV):
“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.’”
Job 1:20–21 (NIV):
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”
Matthew 6:24 (NIV):
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 19:21–24 (NIV):
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’”
Mark 4:19 (NIV):
“...But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
Proverbs 11:28 (NIV):
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV):
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV):
“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.”
1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV):
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
1 John 2:15–17 (NIV):
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
Luke 12:15 (NIV):
“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.’”
1 Corinthians 7:30–31 (NIV):
“Those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”
Matthew 6:21 (NIV):
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”