November 11, 2007 - Simplicity

  1. Simplicity
    1. Author definition and overview
      1. Simplicity is freedom; Duplicity is bondage
        1. Simplicity brings joy and balance
        2. Duplicity brings anxiety and fear.
      2. Self examination and study will result in inward reality which will in turn be reflected in our outward reality
      3. Experiencing the inward reality liberates us outwardly - internal/external congruence
      4. Lack of a sound spiritual faith leaves a security vacuum.
        1. We attempt to fill this with material goods, titles, and control our environment (power, property, and prestige)
      5. Our mythology reflects our insecurity.
        1. Our heroes are the wealthy, not the pious.
        2. People are defined and valued for what they produce and earn.
    1. Biblical references, according to author, are not ambiguous.
      1. Old Testament discourages absolute right of private property, i.e. Jubilee - In a given year; wealth was redistributed as a representative action of the belief that all wealth was God's.
      2. Spiritual dangers of wealth.
          1. Becomes one's master, Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them,” (Ps. 62:10). He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch,” (Prov. 11:28). No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon, (Lk. 16:13). And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God... But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation; (Lk. 6:20&24). For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, (Mt. 6:21&19).
          1. Freedom from possession is a key to spirituality, 16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,  19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions, (Mt. 19:16-22).
      1. Adequate provision is assured and intended - asceticism is as much a barrier to true spirituality as wealth and can find contentment only in abasement. Simplicity, the other hand can find contentment in both abasement and abundance. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Phil. 4:12).

Simplicity is the keystone to enjoying possessions, 7For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;  9A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass without becoming enslaved by them (Deut. 8:17, And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.), a gift that is not ours to keep, and that can be shared freely with others. (Deut. 8:7-9).

    1. A Place to Stand - A focal point is critical to the discipline of Simplicity and is epitomized by the words of Jesus, 25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?, 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithalshall we be clothed? 32For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mt. 6:25-33)
      1. Seek the inner reality first and all else will follow. Evidence of this is freedom from anxiety, characterized by three inner attitudes:
          1. What we have received is a gift
          2. What we have is to be cared for by God
          3. What we have is available to others
    2. The outward expression of simplicity - the way we live.
      1. Ten principles of the outward expression of Simplicity in the present
          1. Purchase merchandise for utility and economy in preference to status
          2. Reject all things that elicit an addictive attraction to you.
          3. Develop the habit of giving things away; unselfishly
          4. Refuse to be persuaded by advertising
          5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them
          6. Develop an appreciation for the universe, “The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; and they that dwell therein” (Ps 24:1).
          7. Avoid installment financing; move towards life lived in the present. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Hamlet, Act 1, scene3) or But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Lk. 6:35).
          8. Develop a habit of speaking plainly and honestly. This is difficult until we learn to live in our divine center and therefore speak from that source.
          9. Reject anything that will contribute to the oppression of others. Do we enjoy luxury or abundance that is at the expense of others?