Question 1

What kind of simplicity should I develop in my life?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 131:1-3Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—now and always.Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”We are to strive for a faith like that of a child. We are to eagerly and completely trust whatever our heavenly Father says and that he always wants what is best for us.Mark 6:7-9He called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.Luke 12:22-23Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.”We are to cultivate an attitude that focuses less on material possessions and more on the riches of a life filled with God’s Spirit. We must resist the temptation to equate effectiveness with pursuing greater resources as opposed to simply making good use of the resources God has already provided.Acts 2:46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.We should express our love to God with a pure and sincere devotion, show our love to others without expecting anything in return. If we practice generosity, we will get better at it.1 Corinthians 2:1When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.Talk to others in a clear and uncomplicated way about your faith in Jesus.

Question 2

What does it mean to live simply?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 3:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.When we are truly connected to Jesus, he turns our simple acts into something profound and purposeful. For example, he can turn our simple act of singing into a profound chorus of praise that ministers to an entire congregation. He turns our simple act of placing our tithe in the offering plate into a profound act of mercy that will touch the hearts of the needy people who receive it. He turns our simple act of teaching children in Sunday school into a profound moment in the heart of a child who suddenly realizes his need for salvation. Stay connected to Jesus and let him turn our simple acts of service into profound works for the Kingdom of God.Philippians 4:10-14How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.Simplicity is synonymous with contentment. The marks of simplicity are also the marks of contentment. Paul’s life was an example of how complicated life can get. But he was still able to live with a simple contentment and with God at the center.

Question 3

What kind of simplicity should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 1:4These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.Proverbs 1:22“How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?”Proverbs 8:5You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.Proverbs 14:15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.1 Corinthians 14:20Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.We should avoid being a simpleton by cultivating wisdom. Without wisdom we are in danger of being seduced by clever people who want to take advantage of us. Godly simplicity isn’t blind to the complications and disappointments of life.

Question 4

Isn’t the Christian life complicated?

Accepted Answer

Luke 18:16Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”Jesus encourages us to receive his love with the same kind of trust a little child shows. A little child just loves to be loved, and simply soaks it up without needing to know why he or she is loved. Receiving God’s love is an act of simple faith.

Question 5

Why is simplicity important?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 1:1-6Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.The wicked are under continual confusion from their own and peer counsel. They keep company with people who enable their sinfulness, and they mock the righteous who are simply focused on God and his instructions. The lives of wicked people are as complicated and unstable as chaff blown by the wind. Godly people live their lives under a simple confidence in God’s watchful direction.Hebrews 11:1, 6Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. . . . And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.Faith allows us to accept the reality of something or Someone beyond ourselves to make sense of everything. The particular faith affirmed in this passage is focused on a personal God who responds to those who seek him.Philippians 3:13-14No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.A single-minded focus on trusting Christ Jesus and simply living life for him makes it possible to move through life with purpose.

Question 6

Why is it so difficult to live simply in today’s culture?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 13:18-23“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”1 John 2:15-17Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.The difficulties of living a simple life today are the same that have always made it difficult to live a simple life. Jesus called them worries of this life and the lure of wealth—basically a life anchored to this world rather than directed toward our Creator and heavenly Father.