Sunday we looked into the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity. It was interesting to me that much of what I read about simplicity as a Christian discipline connected it with other things--social justice, caring for the poor, or even stewardship of the earth. How often, I wonder, have we considered the idea that simplicity could help bring us closer to God?
We began by noting the conclusion of the sage, demonstrated with the help of a big but in Proverbs chapter 30, that our economic situation can indeed impact our spiritual well-being. He pleaded: Give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or, I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of God.
From there we considered a couple of stories in the New Testament involving rich young men--both including huge buts. The first, in Luke 12. A young man asks Jesus to tell his brother to split an inheritance with him. Note: the young man wants more. Jesus instructs that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. He illustrates his point with a story about a man who has such a successful harvest that he got busy building bigger barns to hold his wealth. Everything sounded great until the big but: But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you.' Taking a look back through that text I noted that it was a desire for more that led to more busyness--and that in the scope of eternity, it was meaningless. This text screams about a lack of contentment--need more, do more, have more, be satisfied. NOT.
The second story is found in Matthew 19. A rich young ruler asks Jesus 'What must I do to get eternal life?' I ruminated over that question a lot this past week. It seems he's asking, 'What's the least amount I need to do?' I live that way. Often. How much can I get and for how little an investment? What's most telling in this parable for me is that it seems the man is willing to fit religion into his otherwise satisfactory life. I worry that sometimes we approach God like this--I'll make room for you Sunday morning at 11. This text calls us to examine our heart's true affections. I was thinking about the passage in Matthew 10 where Jesus says that if you would follow after him you need to hate your father and your mother. That's a very harsh word to hear, but it is pretty easily understood to mean that when you consider a relationship with Jesus, all other affections should pale in comparison. "Go sell all your possessions and give to the poor" was like holding up a mirror. Jesus assured his disciples, it is impossible for a rich man to come to follow Jesus. Then the big but: With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
Simplify my out of control life, schedule and affections? Not in my own strength. But with God, all things are possible.
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