Standing Out: Simplicity
Simplicity is a posture of the heart.
Matthew 6:19-28
19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25 ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 ‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This passage shows us how to live unworried life rooted in simplicity.
It points us toward a life of grace not works. Our provision is not based on our works but God’s kindness.
Right at the heart of the simple life is the inward disposition of our heart to place God first in our life. To seek God’s Kingdom first.
We’re not talking about minimalism or simplicity for the sake of it, but a simple devotion of God revealed in Christ.
One of the ways simplicity works out is obedience. It’s where we move toward his desire and will for the earth. This is not based on how we feel in a moment, but a passion for the Kingdom of God on earth.
We also recognise we can let go or not hold onto possessions. We live out a generous and sharing life. We don’t consume like the rest of the world and the true cost of our consumption. We evaluate its impact on the earth and communities as well as our headspace.
Simplicity is an antidote to our jealousy and covetousness. It leads us to contentment.
We’re called as stewards rather than as owners and accumulators of possessions. We cannot take what we have into eternity. We take the condition of our heart and relationship with God into eternity.
Our expectations for the pace of life can be
Simplicity is about the satisfaction we can have in our union with God.
We’re called to live simple lives not driven by busyness.
We see in Jesus and the early church that simplicity was rooted in Kingdom life. It was a value they cherished and as church we want to.
What is the priority of life?
What do you need to give up to make your life simpler?
How do you need to adjust to embrace a simple life?
