SIMPLICITY OF LIFE:

sim•plic•i•ty \sim-ˈpli-sə-tē, -ˈplis-tē\ noun

plural -ties [Middle English simplicite, from Anglo-French simplicité, from Latin simplicitat-, simplicitas, from simplic-, simplex] 14th century

1: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded

2 a: lack of subtlety or penetration: innocence, naiveté

b: folly, silliness

3: freedom from pretense or guile: candor

4 a: directness of expression: clarity

b: restraint in ornamentation: austerity[1]

du•plic•i•ty \du̇-ˈpli-sə-tē also dyu̇-\ noun

plural -ties [Middle English duplicite, from Middle French, from Late Latin duplicitat-, duplicitas, from Latin duplex] 15th century

1: contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action especially: the belying of one’s true intentions by deceptive words or action

2: the quality or state of being double or twofold

3: the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct items (as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal action[2]

Text: (NKJV) A Brotherly and Orderly Life

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

(NKJV)

Seek the Kingdom of God

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1. One of the ways we know that we have reached the simple life is that our goods no longer have us, rather we have our goods.

a. One of the ways that we know that our goods no longer have us is that we are able to share

b. The Lust for status and position is gone because we no longer Need it for identity.

c. rather to let an inward radiance show.

d. Because our lives are not centered in Christ we have an insane attachment to things.

2. (NKJV) 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

a. you have often heard it said, “money is the root of all evil.” In fact that is a miss quote of (NKJV) 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

b. We live in a day and time were we think that money is the answer to everything. We know its not.

c. We live in America, everybody in America can have some money. If you walked down the street long enough and are observant, we can find some money. Here in Abilene, in this parking even there is money in this parking lot. Having money is not an issue. Money having you is an issue.

3. The ten suggestions that we make toward an outward expression of simplicity:

1. Buy things for their usefulness not for their status.

2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.

3. Develop a habit of giving things a way.

4. De-accumulate: masses of things are not needed.

5. Enjoy things without owning them. Learn to share.

6. Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.

7. Look with healthy skepticism at all the “buy now pay later schemes

8. Let your yes be yes and your no be no deal in integrity in your life.

9. Avoid anything that oppresses others.

10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.

b. not having a unhealthy attachment to stuff may very well enable you to do more of the work God put on your heart.

c. If you aren’t attached to stuff, your weekly or monthly dost of living is lower. If you are paid fair market value and live simply: the two things that come to mind are:

i. You can have a greater impact on the needs of others.

ii. And you can save more, maybe you can stop doing what you have to do and start doing what you need to do.

[1] Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

[2] Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.