Why I Choose To Live In Poverty... and you should too!

God has taught me over many years to live in contentment. The less I have, the more joyful life has become. Simplicity is peace. We live on one income with 4 kids. I homeschool our kids. It isn't always easy making ends meet, but God is always faithful to give us what we need - not what we want. The best way to save money is to downsize, get rid of extra "stuff" in your home, and don't buy things you don't actually need. This includes apps. Then, learn how to do things yourself, like cutting basic haircuts, cooking from scratch, fixing things, etc.

Our AC unit went out as well. We purchased a small window unit for the livingroom and the kitchen. It is less expensive than the huge units were on our power bill as well. We hang our laundry...than realized we sace fifty cents per load! I hand wash dishes...it is so calming. We have been so blessed. The only thing that we cannot afford that we would truly love is a nice large family vehicle. We would love to go to Wednesdays services, but we are thankful that we get to attend on Sundays as a family. We are thankful for my husbands job, even if it is evenings so that we do not attend those midweek services. If I took on a job to afford the new vehicle, then I would be at work instead of church still. We have raised our eight children under 30,000 for twenty years....some years much closer to twenty😁.

Agreed. I was born into a two income family that was pretty well off. All I knew was school and success through school and work. I became a sahm when we had our second baby and haven’t looked back. I had to relearn how to actually live and find inner contentment but our lives have been so much fuller. Thanks for your video!

This was a great video, Heidi. Can I add to it from my experience? I've always been poor by north american standards. I've lived in an incredibly wealthy city for 30 yrs. I've had to seek peace and contentment by seeing the great value in all the frugal tasks I do to save money. I've also found happiness in being a "minimalist". But, there's a tipping point where contentment in frugality, poverty, simplicity, minimalism can become an idol. Jesus was homeless and relied on others for food & shelter. But, he worshipped God, not poverty. He abided in the Father, not his minimalism. His identity was in the Creator, not simplicity. He thrived in doing the will of God, not in any connection to overconsumption OR under consumption . It's a subtle difference, but it's been a big challenge from the Holy Spirit for me. I've seen and been "the poor" who are still clutching their worldly identity too tightly ♥️🇨🇦

Perspective is a big component on this topic. I am super poor by American standards but a lot of people in poverty in 3rd world countries would be thrilled to have what I enjoy.

I’m in uk and have been living far below the poverty line for twenty three years, got five home educated kids and disabled husband who chooses to live separately to us in a house he inherited whereas we have to rent privately, so paying for two houses and five kids on just minimum state benefit is interesting. It means no hot water except for showers, no heating in winter, no fans in summer , no holidays and living in a house full of damp and mould and disrepair because landlords know you can’t afford anything else. Yet I like my life, thankful every day for what I do have and the lack of pressure and stress there is that other materialistic people have. Money is just a protection, god always knows what you need. When you give to other people with what you have then you are lending to god and he will repay all of it in blessings. Thankyou for this video, another great one.

I’ve been a stay at home mom since I was pregnant with our first child and wouldn’t have it any other way! Our biggest issue is we couldn’t buy a home when it was cheaper to do and now it’s not really possible anymore due to prices. So we are renting and it feels like we are just flushing money down the toilet. Praying for God to allow us to purchase one day. I’ve considered working to get us there faster but it’s just not worth it to miss that time with my kids!

This video came out at the right time! 2 days before payday. Some days are harder than others but I definitely don't want to be a boss girl corporate wife. 😅

Couple of things… 1) Christian women are more likely to follow the Biblical model, with women staying at home, and genuine Christians will be happier because of Christ. 2) Here’s an idea… choose poverty for the sake of Christ. Others have done it. Find a copy of God’s Smuggler and read about the Hopkinses (Uncle and Mother Hoppy). He was a wealthy London business owner who chose, with his wife, to live in abject poverty so they could contribute to Christian missionary work. Literally, if they took in a homeless man in for the night, they had to trust God for anything he needed. That’s the level of poverty.

My mom always said you don’t have children for someone else to raise.

Loved this. We are a 1 income family and have learn to embrace it. ❤

As a Christian woman I believe you should live according to your means without making anything an idol or holding anything with a tight grip, and without neglecting your home which is priority. Things come and go and happiness is never meant to be base on material things but I tell you not being able to pay the bills produces stress and is not good for the health, so money doesn’t bring happiness but it helps in the comfort area, as long as you don’t live above your means that too can bring stress I would say keep it balance. If you can afford the expensive bag by no means buy it as long as you don’t violate your conscious you’re good to go. I don’t believe Jesus cares if you have much or not I believe he cares about the condition of your heart. That’s what I think.

What an interesting study and testimony to stay at home mom's, nuclear families and simplicity. If only these were the priorities of our world.😢

One income family, will protect your marriage, increase your wellbeing. Don’t overstuff.

I’d be curious to know the book you are referencing. I personally don’t know any Christian families that are not happy with their dual income w/ kids lifestyle. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to start working again. I stayed home for five years with my kids and I loved it but felt such a strong drive to have my own income, And my kids seemed to need to be around other kids their own ages. So now I work and they go to private Christian schools and yes it eats up all that extra income I make but we are all so happy and the kids beg me not to take them out. However we still spend lots of time together, and me working from home 4/5 days makes the BIG difference because I tried jobs that had me in the office all day and YES those jobs taking me away from my kids definitely made me miserable. End is, I wanted to believe you are absolutely right about this for so long, to reconcile my choice to stay out of the workforce for so long, however as always it seems to depend on the family. But yes good reminder to stay humble, be content, grateful for what God has given you, including your ability to be creative and make something beautiful no matter your financial circumstances.

I have gone back to my crochet in hopes of supplementing our income

"Get the baby a job " 😂😂

Great message, especially during these more difficult times!

Truly wish there was at least 1 other Sister in Christ like you in my area. It’s a lonely walk.

I agree wholeheartedly! You are few who say this because world success has crept into Christian standards. God has really blessed you! Say what we all want to say! I’ve been married almost 21 years, have two teenage girls and live in a 936 sq ft home and drive all used cars that we paid for in cash. We love each other and love the Lord! We choose to use our faith for other things other than material items. I’ve been a SAHM for 17 years and living on one income for the most part. Thanks for this confirmation because like you…I do have my moments of wanting a newer car or bigger closet or home but I have to remind myself as well that God gave me this and to be content.