People of Interest - The Man Who Quit Money

One of the more fascinating people I have encountered this past year is Daniel Suelo, a man who lives in Utah and has for more than a decade lived literally without money.

I first read about him in reading a book by journalist Mark Boyle called The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living.  For some strange reason I guess I'm drawn to the these accounts of people who document their experience living for a year without some aspect of what we consider 'normal life'.  Boyle, from England, had decided to see if he could live for one year without spending any money.  He had drawn inspiration from Daniel Suelo, and so after reading his book, for about a year I've been visiting Suelo's blog on occassion.  A book has just been published about Suelo called The Man Who Quit Money.  You can watch a brief clip about him here:

As a Christ-follower, I was curious to see what motivates this man to live as he does.  I will be very quick to point out that he does not believe as I do, and although he quotes Scripture widely (and often inaccurately) he also draws from all kinds of other religions and traditions and philosophers, blending it all together.  His worldview is not mine.  Having said that, I still admit to an admiration for someone who has lived out an alternative kind of life that goes totally against the grain of North American materialism and the pursuit of the almighty Loonie (Dollar, for our American friends!)

If there is a way to live differently in a manner that aligns more closely with faith in Christ, do we follow it?  Or does our faith too easily accomodate much of the world around us?  I see Suelo  seeking to live out a life based on values that run counter to our culture.  Will I join him?  Ummm I don't think so.  I do pray that he one day will encounter or meet anew the One who gives us the reason to deny ourselves, to take up the cross-life, and to live not in worry or greed but in simple trust in God's goodness and provision without soul-killing cares of this world.

But can you also imagine a life connected to nature and to community that completely bypasses all the craziness of the rat race?  It's a compelling idea, and Suelo is definitely a person of interest.