Economic discipleship week 5 - Living a Lifestyle of Simplicity

LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF SIMPLICITY Mathew 6: 19-23 How can we maintain a simple lifestyle, find lasting fulfillment, and nurture our spiritual well-being? Matthew 6:19-23 19 "Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-23 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! SPIRITUAL VALUES VS MATERIAL WEALTH Explore practicing a lifestyle of simplicity through 1.Storing up heavenly treasures 2.Discerning what our treasures are 3.Keeping our "eyes" away from temptations Matthew 6:19-20 19 "Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Material possessions are temporary and can be lost or destroyed. Timothy 6:17 God richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. we are called to be channels of God's blessings, NOT reservoirs. How can we store treasures in heaven? • • • • • Developing Christian character Sharing the gospel Making disciples Fostering fellowship Serving others Matthew 25:35-40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Explore practicing a lifestyle of simplicity through 1.Storing up heavenly treasures 2.Discerning what our treasures are 3.Keeping our "eyes" healthy Matthew 6:21 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What truly matters to you is found in your calendar and bank statement. The husband and wife relationship is prioritized above the parent and child relationship. Fathers should take the primary role to provide guidance, discipline, and instruction to their children in a way that reflects God's love and truth. When you give to God, your heart follows suit. Matthew 6:21 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Explore practicing a lifestyle of simplicity through 1.Storing up heavenly treasures 2.Discerning what our treasures are 3.Keeping our "eyes" away from temptations Matthew 6:23 23 But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Samuel 11:2-4 2 "One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, 'She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.' Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her." Explore practicing a lifestyle of simplicity through 1.Storing up heavenly treasures 2.Discerning what our treasures are 3.Keeping our "eyes" away from temptations Outline: Explore practicing a lifestyle of simplicity through 1.Storing up heavenly treasures 2.Discerning what our treasures are 3.Keeping our "eyes" temptations Questions: • What does simplicity mean to you? • What earthly treasures do you like to collect the most? Have you seen any transient nature of them? • What would motivate you to drop out of the glamour, mall, upwardly mobile frenzy of life? • How would you like to keep your “eyes’ away from temptations?