Simple Living

Move 1 -Because we lack a divine center our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things.

Move 2- Jesus and Proverbs want us to bring our whole lives around the kingdom.

Move 3-It’s a hard teaching, start small.

Move 4- There’s life and freedom here, let’s encourage each other to do this.

First Sentence-Later today 22 millionaires are going to chase each other around on a field in Tampa Bay.

1. What does it risk if they fail to hear from me?

Because we lack a divine center our need for security has led us to an insane attachment to stuff.

So many of us are stuck spiritually not because of lack of desire, we cannot get unstuck without getting challenged. This is one of Jesus’ most difficult teachings. It actually was part of the reason the Pharisees moved to kill him.

2. What am I asking them to do?

Fight for the center, simplify your life.

Before you buy ask do I really need this?

in attempts to save money we buy cheaper items and then it gets easier to justify buying more.

Develop the habit of giving things away

start small, then give things you are attached to

Leave Margin in your schedule

Living simply isn’t about having an empty house, it’s about removing distractions so we can see God more.

Part of the reason we work so much is to afford stuff we don’t want to impress people we don’t like.

3. Why won’t they do it?

Why won’t they do it?

Feels trendy worldly

only for urban hipsters wealthy, buy expensive Scandinavian furniture

Shame

Maybe they don’t have a lot as it is?

Fur-lowed

Sanders

Demarcus

So I have to get rid of all my stuff

I like my stuff

4. What are the next steps?

Midweek ministry night

create three piles

Dead Dog Story- the trellis and the vine

Last Sentence- Systems are perfectly designed to get the results that they get.

Courageously, we need to articulate new, more human ways to live. We should take exception to the modern psychosis that defines people by how much they can produce or what they earn. We should experiment with bold new alternatives to the present death-giving system. The Spiritual Discipline of simple living is not a lost dream, but a recurrent vision throughout history. It can be recaptured today. It must be.