It is important for us to count the costs before we embrace the gospel poverty lifestyle.  Hopefully, this will be a beginning point for you to help you get a handle on what you are signing up for.  Here are some practical suggestions:

1.  Pray and ask God to help.  He loves to answer the simple, honest prayer for help from His children.

2.  Start in small ways.  Try to simplify in one of these three areas first:
       >Food - try fasting one meal a day or full day a week.  Deny yourself sweets or soft                 drinks.
       >Clothing - Give away the clothes in your closet that you never wear to the poor.                  Lose the flashy clothes and buy classic, simple styles that speak to the new direction             you are taking in life.
       >Shelter - Be content in the home you have.  Instead of putting new furniture on                     credit cards, buy used furniture with cash and cover it with slipcovers.  Give away             the items in your home that you really don't use, like the rotiserie chicken cooker                 that grandma gave you 5 Christmases ago (smiles).

        John Michael Talbot says, "If the serious Christian is willing to incorporate values based on gospel poverty into these primary areas of life, great steps will be taken forward in simplifying his or her life."

3.  Be ready to be misunderstood by your family and friends.  Be patient and humble with those who don't understand what you are doing.  We are all in process of figuring out how to live the way of Jesus in our modern world.

4.  Learn to distinguish between your wants and your needs.  The three things listed  under #2 above are needs that every person has.  But, more food, more expensive clothing, and a bigger house are often wants not needs.  Learn to discern between what you truly need versus what you really just want to satisfy your flesh.

5.  Print, sign, keep, and live the Gospel Poverty Manifesto.   It is found on the next page called "The Commitment".