Rating: 
Summary: The Christian case against me-ism and more-ism.
Review: Foster wonders if he is the right person to write this book, and indeed who would be. (It seems clear that he was exactly the right person.) Our culture is at war with simplicity. Material neediness is almost demanded of us. We need new stuff -- techno-toys, fashions, cars, amazing new whatnot. Says Foster: "Stress the quality of life above the quantity of life. Refuse to be seduced into defining life in terms of having rather than being. Cultivate solitude and silence. Learn to 'listen to God's speech in his wondrous, terrible, gentle, loving, all-embracing silence'... Value music, art, books, significant travel. If you are too busy to read, you are too busy... Learn the wonderful truth that to increase the quality of life means to decrease material desire..." Foster leads the reader to understand that Christian simplicity is not merely a reinvention of self focus, a stripped-down version of self indulgence. It is both carefully inward-looking and thoughtfully outward-looking, always seeking to need only One. This is not the Christianity that the skeptic will find easy to assail, but rather the type of human concerns illuminated by Christ: "A million hogs in Indiana have superior housing to a billion humans on this planet."
Rating: 
Summary: A great disappointment
Review: I began reading this book in an attempt to live a more simple life and ended up with so much more. This book is not just about simplicity, and what that means to God, but even more so about the Biblical commands concerning "living simple, so that others may simply life". Richard Foster brought to light for me the passages in the Bible about the oppressed, the unloved, the homeless, etc. Foster also does not lay down mandates for all Christians, but instead, through his wisdom and life example, allows God to do the leading. A Ground-breaking Book!
Rating:
Summary: An Important Book on both Simplicity and Social Justice
Review: I began reading this book in an attempt to live a more simple life and ended up with so much more. This book is not just about simplicity, and what that means to God, but even more so about the Biblical commands concerning "living simple, so that others may simply life". Richard Foster brought to light for me the passages in the Bible about the oppressed, the unloved, the homeless, etc. Foster also does not lay down mandates for all Christians, but instead, through his wisdom and life example, allows God to do the leading. A Ground-breaking Book!
Rating:
Summary: Must-Reading for Christians in the Western World!
Review: I began reading this book with high expectations regarding the insights the author would have to offer. I was certainly not disappointed. Foster divides his work into two parts. In part one, he lays a foundation for a life of simplicity based upon the Old and New Testaments. He also draws upon church history to illustrate the advantages of not being distracted by worldly possessions and pursuits. In part two, Foster puts the concept of simplicity into action. He speaks of inward simplicity which aligns our lives properly with God. He then refers to outward simplicity, which relates us in a fitting manner to persons around us. He closes his book by referring to corporate simplicity in the church and in the world. Sadly, his work would have been better had he omitted these last two chapters. In them, Foster's liberal economic and political views rise to the surface, strongly overshadowing the Biblical argument he has so skillfully presented earlier. Still, in an age characterized by materialism within and without the church, this book gives a fresh new perspective on focusing on things eternal that cannot be bought or sold. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Must-Reading for Christians in the Western World!
Review: I began reading this book with high expectations regarding the insights the author would have to offer. I was certainly not disappointed. Foster divides his work into two parts. In part one, he lays a foundation for a life of simplicity based upon the Old and New Testaments. He also draws upon church history to illustrate the advantages of not being distracted by worldly possessions and pursuits. In part two, Foster puts the concept of simplicity into action. He speaks of inward simplicity which aligns our lives properly with God. He then refers to outward simplicity, which relates us in a fitting manner to persons around us. He closes his book by referring to corporate simplicity in the church and in the world. Sadly, his work would have been better had he omitted these last two chapters. In them, Foster's liberal economic and political views rise to the surface, strongly overshadowing the Biblical argument he has so skillfully presented earlier. Still, in an age characterized by materialism within and without the church, this book gives a fresh new perspective on focusing on things eternal that cannot be bought or sold. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Blessing
Review: I bought this book based on the glowing recommendations posted here and, although I definitely got some good out of it, I'd have to say it was a mixed blessing. I have no doubt of Mr. Foster's sincerity and am sure he is the kind who practices what he preaches. The earlier sections which explore the Old and New Testament basis for simplicity provide much food for thought. Unfortunately, the later sections on practicing the simple life often range from the somewhat silly to the surprisingly naive. For example, his suggestion to get rid of a beloved possession if we suspect we may be valuing it more than God seems misguided. His logic is that if we are convinced we are idolizing the possession then we should get rid of it. But if we are convinced that we aren't idolizing it, then there's no harm in getting rid of it, anyway. It saddened me a little that some earnest young Christian might actually be convinced by this counsel to give up something of great sentimental value. Also, Mr. Foster could benefit from a solid course in basic economics. He seems to be of the well-meaning but rather dingy liberal school that believes taking a smaller slice of the economic pie means more slices for everyone else. This, of course, is simply not the way it works. The best thing that is happening to many third- and second-world countries is the development of market economies whereby the desire to achieve a better lifestyle leads to an expanding economy, more jobs, and much better lives for many more people. I do not mean to downplay the importance of giving generously out of what God has given us, and I suspect that most Christians who have picked up this book already feel this way. I am only concerned that some will be misled by Mr. Foster's rather limited view of how to improve the lives of those in need.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Blessing
Review: I bought this book based on the glowing recommendations posted here and, although I definitely got some good out of it, I'd have to say it was a mixed blessing. I have no doubt of Mr. Foster's sincerity and am sure he is the kind who practices what he preaches. The earlier sections which explore the Old and New Testament basis for simplicity provide much food for thought. Unfortunately, the later sections on practicing the simple life often range from the somewhat silly to the surprisingly naive. For example, his suggestion to get rid of a beloved possession if we suspect we may be valuing it more than God seems misguided. His logic is that if we are convinced we are idolizing the possession then we should get rid of it. But if we are convinced that we aren't idolizing it, then there's no harm in getting rid of it, anyway. It saddened me a little that some earnest young Christian might actually be convinced by this counsel to give up something of great sentimental value. Also, Mr. Foster could benefit from a solid course in basic economics. He seems to be of the well-meaning but rather dingy liberal school that believes taking a smaller slice of the economic pie means more slices for everyone else. This, of course, is simply not the way it works. The best thing that is happening to many third- and second-world countries is the development of market economies whereby the desire to achieve a better lifestyle leads to an expanding economy, more jobs, and much better lives for many more people. I do not mean to downplay the importance of giving generously out of what God has given us, and I suspect that most Christians who have picked up this book already feel this way. I am only concerned that some will be misled by Mr. Foster's rather limited view of how to improve the lives of those in need.
Rating:
Summary: Breaking free and finding peace
Review: It's not an easy task to let go of the known and go into the unknown. To let go of possessions, relationships and to live simply one day at a time. To let go of controlling people you live with, work with, play with, to be and to trust. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others, it brings peace and fulfillment not to rush and accomplish but to do one thing at a time, whether it's eating, vacuuming, telephone calling, working at the office or being with the kids or grandkids. One thing at a time done with simple awareness is worth doing many, many things without awareness. Richard Foster shows us how to live this lifestyle in his books Freedom of Simplicity and Celebration of Discipline. Once you let go, you don't have to prove anything to anyone, you lose that competition drive, status quo, you don't have to live on the edge, you become more compassionate, more centered, more intuitive, more alive to yourself and others. You worry less and love more, you fear less and trust more, you live for the moment, because that's all you have. You make less mistakes and better decisions. You need less and enjoy more. Live simply so that others may simply live
Rating:
Summary: Breaking free and finding peace
Review: It's not an easy task to let go of the known and go into the unknown. To let go of possessions, relationships and to live simply one day at a time. To let go of controlling people you live with, work with, play with, to be and to trust. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others, it brings peace and fulfillment not to rush and accomplish but to do one thing at a time, whether it's eating, vacuuming, telephone calling, working at the office or being with the kids or grandkids. One thing at a time done with simple awareness is worth doing many, many things without awareness. Richard Foster shows us how to live this lifestyle in his books Freedom of Simplicity and Celebration of Discipline. Once you let go, you don't have to prove anything to anyone, you lose that competition drive, status quo, you don't have to live on the edge, you become more compassionate, more centered, more intuitive, more alive to yourself and others. You worry less and love more, you fear less and trust more, you live for the moment, because that's all you have. You make less mistakes and better decisions. You need less and enjoy more. Live simply so that others may simply live
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity for the Christian
Review: Of all the books on the market today about simplicity this one speaks directly to the Christian. It explains why many of us may feel drawn to the simple life. What would Jesus do? This is more than a book about how to save money, buy at thrift stores, and save the earth. It speaks to the soul.
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