Simplicity

What is the spiritual discipline of simplicity?

Forgoing extravagance, showiness, and materialism in favor of plain living, be that in our clothing, our speech, or our possessions.

Why practice simplicity?

The discipline of simplicity is about focusing our hearts such that we seek God’s kingdom first. Our culture teaches us to worship two things above all else: 1) our own comfort and 2) how others see us. The discipline of simplicity combats that disordered worship by forcing us to give up the thing we’re worshiping. This leads to:

• Fewer distractions from God
• Increase in generosity
• Improved ability to trust God for provision
• Decreased anxiety and increased inner peace

What does the Bible say?

Nothing we own is ours; we are merely stewards. God reminds us of this in Leviticus 25:23 when he says, “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.”

Materialism is idolatry. Psalm 62:10 tells us, “if riches increase, set not your heart on them,” and Jesus insists in Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Throughout his ministry, Jesus speaks very negatively of wealth. In his beatitudes in Luke 6:20 he says,“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God,” and in Matthew 19:21 he tells a rich man, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells a parable about a man who stores up his excess harvest in order to, “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” This may seem wise to the capitalistically minded, but the parable concludes with God’s rebuke: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” and Jesus warns, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The Apostle Paul also speaks against materialism. In 1 Timothy 6:9 he warns, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction,” and one of his qualifications for a deacon in 1 Timothy 3:3 is that he be “not a lover of money.”

God also promises that if we do not set our hearts on material things, not only will we stop feeling anxious about them, but God will provide for all our needs. Matthew 6:25-33 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

How do I get started?

1. Identify your addictions. Are you unable to leave the house without putting on makeup? Can you get through a day without checking social media? Do you always need to be the first to own the latest and greatest technology? Then you might want to try simplifying that area of your life.

2.  Cut back on excess. Are you buying those clothes because you need them or because you’re trying to impress someone? Submit your possessions and purchases to God and always stay in prayer in order to determine where your heart lies.

3.  Make a habit of giving. Your money, property, and possessions aren’t really yours. They’re God’s. Therefore, they should be open and accessible to other people. Make a habit of giving what you have to charities, churches, or even your friends. This will cultivate a heart of generosity.

Some Precautions

Beware falling into legalism. Idolizing a lack of possessions misses the point and is no better than idolizing the possessions themselves. Many Christians today fetishize poverty, but the goal of simplicity is not to force poverty upon yourself. The goal is to cultivate a heart that is unfettered by materialism, focused on God’s kingdom first, and generous towards others. Richard Foster warns, “Asceticism and simplicity are mutually incompatible…asceticism renounces possessions. Simplicity sets possessions in proper perspective.”