The Simple Life

THE SIMPLE LIFE

One of the best liked promises for Christians in the Bible is the one found in Hebrews 13:5, where Jesus says that “He will never leave us or forsake us.” This assurance is especially important in those times when we do have to face situations on our own. Yet it is instructive to look at the remainder of the verse. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.” (ESV)

What is Jesus saying here? He will supply our needs, and He is far more important than money or the things that money can buy. But we need to trust Him. This is very difficult for most people because money is a very emotional subject and tied in with our sense of personal identity, worth and value. We are judged by the world, and often in the Church, by our possessions.

Jesus is very clear in His teaching on this subject. Matthew 6:33, part of the Sermon on the Mount, says “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We need to get our priorities right. In Luke 12:15 we read of a man who wants Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. Jesus responds “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” But we believe that it does by what we think we need to have.

For many years I thought that I did not have a problem in this area because I was not rich...by American standards. Then one day the thought hit me. What if God is not judging things by American standards? Then I asked Him what did He consider rich to be. I was led to 1 Timothy 6.

“But godliness with content is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing , with these we shall be content. But those who desire to get rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” ( 1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV)

This passage begins with a common sense saying for we do not come into the world with anything and we do not take anything with us. The next sentence is challenging. How many would be satisfied with just food and clothing and nothing else? No Computer or smart phone? No exercise equipment? Nothing with which to listen to music? All the pleasures and conveniences of life?

The contrast between this and the next sentence is striking. “But those who desire to get rich...” Is God saying that in his economy having more than food and clothing makes us rich? I believe this is what He told me. What does the Bible say to the rich?

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Jesus did not come to suffer and die for our sakes so that we can do whatever we want. As Romans 14:9 makes clear “For to this end Christ both died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.” He did not come to be a part of our life but to be our life. He did not come to help us to live our own life but to be Lord of our lives. He will not share the throne with us.

In Matthew 28:18 Jesus declares “that all authority in heaven and earth is given to Him.” On that basis He commands his followers to make disciples. This is not optional for genuine believers in Christ. We find a number of characteristics of those who are His disciples in the gospels. John says they will abide in the Word (8:31-32), will love one another (John 13:34-35), and will bear much fruit. (15:8)

One key characteristic is often neglected. Found in Luke 14:33, the Scripture reads, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” How then can we justify living anything other than a simple life?

In my own personal journey in this area I find progress yet more needs to be done. After moving out of an apartment upon retiring, I got ride of 90% of my possessions, retaining only what would fit in a small car. By the grace of God I give to His work on the earth and I live very frugally. The externals are good but my heart needs further purifying. Recently I heard an Indian preacher assert that everyone has a love of money. He may be right. God knows. I am encouraged by what I have seen in the many Brazilian homes that I have had the blessing of staying in. Although these are all middle or upper middle class people they do not have all the knickknacks and clutter that one associates with American dwellings. As Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) ESV