When Simple Is Not Enough

When Simple Is Not Enough

Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 8:37 (AMP)

I tell my missionary friend Loring that she’s the most “Amish” English person I know. Loring lives in Uganda. She washes her clothes in a tub and hangs them to dry. She has spotty electricity and few of the conveniences that I enjoy. She lives simply among a people who live even simpler. Loring is the first to confess that simple living doesn’t guarantee faithful living. Outside the gates of Loring’s home, millions of men, women, and children live in poverty—and all of them need Christ.

While many people look to the simple way of Amish living as a key to peace, one Amish writer believes otherwise:

We need to rediscover that a simple way of life, separated and apart from the world, is indeed God’s pattern for his people. However scriptural simple living is, it is not an automatic passport to heaven. Thousands of people live simple lives, with just a roof above their heads and a dirt floor beneath their feet, and so few earthly possessions that they can load them all onto an oxcart. They may still live ungodly lives, wallowing in sin and poverty. Hand in hand with our simple living must be a devout faith in God, honesty of conviction, and an earnest desire for brotherhood. . . .

We don’t need more conveniences as much as we need more convictions. In this world of emphasis on luxury and earthly possessions, it may be difficult to be content with little. But it is impossible to be content with much.

Maybe you’ve been striving to live simply, but your soul doesn’t feel satisfied. Faithful living is more important than simple living. Convictions are more important than conveniences. Having much or little isn’t nearly as important as having a devout faith in God.

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes I’m so focused on living more simply that I forget to live more faithfully. Help me do so today.