Lessons in Generosity from my Journey into Minimalism

Ultralight backpackers inspire me. In fact, it is something I wish I was better at. 

A minimalist in life? I try my best. But I must admit, if you’ve ever seen me hiking, you would probably not confuse me with an ultralight backpacker.

For those who know me, this won’t come as a surprise. It’s not that I don’t love hiking or the outdoors. In fact, a few years ago, my son and I hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim in one day. But when it comes to packing light for the trails, I’m certainly no expert—at least not like my friend Glen.

However, Glen and I share a common belief: the more of less.

In 2008, I began a journey into minimalism following a short conversation with my neighbor who introduced me to the lifestyle. Since then, I’ve worked hard to document my family’s experiences and the countless positive benefits we’ve seen by owning less. 

Over the years, minimalism has saved us money, time, and energy. But even more importantly, intentionally owning less has brought us more freedom, more intentionality, greater productivity, and a richer focus on the things in life that matter most. But perhaps the most meaningful change has been the way it opened our lives to greater generosity.

Living with fewer possessions provides a pathway to increased generosity. I have spoken all around the world and have yet to find a roomful of people who do not desire greater generosity in their lives. There might be a few individuals here and there who only care about amassing wealth and possessions for themselves—but as a whole, “generous” is a word we want to be used to describe us.

While most of us agree that generosity is a good thing, many people struggle to find it. And the reason for this is because we can’t seem to find the “margin” to do it. 

To help us find more margin in our lives, here are a few simple steps we can all take to cultivate greater generosity—lessons I’ve learned on my journey into minimalism and insights from Glen’s writings.

1. Consider the Benefits

“Simple acts of kindness and generosity can be transformative, if not life-saving.” – Glen Van Peski

Generous people often report being happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. When we give, we experience a sense of purpose, knowing we are addressing the needs of those around us and contributing to a healthier community. While generosity is often seen as selfless, it’s important to recognize the personal benefits as well—this awareness can be a powerful motivator to get started.

2. Embrace Gratitude

“Gratitude takes daily practice. It’s like a muscle that must be worked or it will atrophy.” – Glen Van Peski

Take a moment right now to reflect on everything you’re grateful for. Your list doesn’t need to be long, or even physical—just think about it. Often, the first step toward greater generosity is to spend more time appreciating what you already have, and less time focusing on what you don’t. Once you start thinking that way, you’ll likely find you have more than enough to share with others.

3. Start Small

“Generosity often begets more generosity.” – Glen Van Peski

If you’ve never given money away before, start small. Whether it’s $1 or $5, start with an amount that feels doable. This small action will build momentum, making future acts of generosity easier.  One practical way to begin is by redirecting a specific expense toward a charity. For example, give up buying coffee once a week or pack your lunch instead of eating out for a month. The money you save can be donated to a cause that matters to you.

4. Live a More Minimalist Life

“With minimalism, I embrace those things I most value, and I consciously remove anything that distracts me from my rich and abundant life.” – Glen Van Peski

Minimalism doesn’t automatically make you more generous, but it does create the space and resources to enable it. By choosing to own less, you’ll have more time, energy, and financial freedom to help others. Plus, living intentionally will highlight the importance of generosity in your life and allow you to support work you find meaningful and important.

5. Support a Cause You’re Passionate About

“We have been able to bless many people in need over the years. We support ministries and organizations that are important to us while maintaining a balance with nontraditional charity.” – Glen Van Peski

There are countless charities and causes that need support. What are you passionate about? Whether it’s the environment, poverty, education, or human rights, find an organization that aligns with your values and joyfully support them.

In my life, we support several causes, including The Hope Effect, a nonprofit my wife and I founded to change the way the world cares for orphans. Because of my wife Kim’s experience being adopted, orphaned and vulnerable children have always held a special place in our hearts. The Hope Effect is getting kids out of orphanages and into loving families, providing opportunities for each child to flourish and thrive. When we support causes that matter to us, giving to them is a natural extension of our values.

Remember, generosity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s an intentional decision we need to make in our lives. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes, the best way to start is with simple, practical steps. I hope these ideas have helped kickstart your journey to live generously and impact the lives of others in meaningful ways. 

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Joshua Becker is an author, speaker, and philanthropist. He has written several best-selling books on minimalism, and his website Becoming Minimalist has more than one million readers each month. Inspired by his wife’s experience being adopted, Joshua founded The Hope Effect in 2015. You can see his other writings on generosity on his website.