Responding to a comment from a reader
I got an email from a fellow that I wanted to respond to but they didn’t provide a valid reply email address. The issue is important enough that I wanted to publish the comment and my reply publicly because it reveals an important underlying problem in our society. Here is the reader’s comment:
come on now. While your small house design might seem intriguing how could a family possibly live in nine tiny feet. As a Christain, I personally believe that God put enough on earth for every family to have a home that meets their home living needs. Through wisdom is a house builded and by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall all the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 Meditate on that a while and then draw the plans for a real house.
Here is my response.
Thanks… but I think if you continue reading about this design you’ll find that Nine Tiny Feet is an experiment in searching for the lowest common denominator in housing not intended as a viable solution for a family. It will also be a showcase for frugality, simplicity, and sustainable living… which seem much more in line with the teachings of Jesus than any McMansion or suburban track home I’ve ever seen.
Regarding: “all the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches” … I don’t think that was intended as support for consumerism and greed either. It sounds like it on the surface but this statement wouldn’t support the core teachings of Jesus. I suggest a deeper look into the true meaning of this is needed. My suspicion is that precious would be family and riches would not include money and wealth.
In many ways part of my simple living work is to help those that have forgotten how a frugal and wholesome life brings happiness, freedom, and for some closer to God. I don’t bring religion into my work overtly because I don’t want to exclude anyone from realizing the value of these lessons. While I have some deep personal beliefs I choose not to expose them because I have a stronger belief that working to unite humanity under a banner of peace is the only path to a sustainable future. I suspect Jesus would agree.
I hope that helps you understand another dimension of the mission I’ve found myself on.
If you continue to tinyhousedesign.com you’ll find more design concepts that might better fulfill the immediate needs of our families.
Michael,
As a Christian myself, I would advise you to ignore the nay-sayers and follow your heart. I for one am fascinated by the whole “Nine Tiny Feet” concept, and even though it would never be right for me personally, I can see where different people in different circumstances from my own could benefit. Keep working on it!
My personal beliefs have nothing to do with having seen families happy to have a cardboard box to live in.
Small sustainable housing is a better answer than most.
As a Christian I also believe “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
God has indeed provided enough materials but we are STILL expected to tend our gardens.
This little plan will work for some not for others, but no one forced me to come look at it and no one is forcing me to build it.
The market is full of people designing “McMansions” and a precious few advocating minimalist housing for those who choose it, want it or NEED it.
Thanks for your work.
Charles
You could ask him to mediate on the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity… or read “The Little Flowers” of Saint Clare, or any of Saint Francis works.
Does he seriously think that all the incredible Christian aesthetics were on the wrong track?
Michael,
I agree with you and not the commenter. I think they are using the word of God for their own purposes and not in light of what the scriptures truly meant. I find it very satisfying to live in a small space. In one case Jesus said he didn’t even have a place to live! He was more concerned about taking care of others also the scripture came to mind in Col. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” God does provide us with all that we need (and more), but that doesn’t mean all that is necessary to lead a wholesome Christian life.