Joshua Becker calls himself a minimalist. He says society defines the good life in terms of physical possessions—big houses, new cars, full closets of the latest clothes. But he says possessions are fleeting –now you have them—now you don’t. Some have them—many don’t. Worst of all, they never satisfy our greatest need, and are never enough. But he says life is not defined by what we possess but by what we pursue. What we desire most influences nearly everything about us and dictates what we do with our money, time, and energy. So he urges us to reject the pursuit of things; instead pursue faith, hope, love, and justice. He believes these help improve the world for everybody. Becker’s focus on nonmaterial goals reminds us of Paul who had a single-minded pursuit. He identified the intimate relationship with Christ to be the single driving force in his life. He wrote in Philippians 3, “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Paul considered his and our union with Christ to have unlimited value because it gives us perfect union with Almighty God and it lasts forever.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
