Simplicity
What is so attractive to me about simplicity? Buying less, accumulating less, living on less. Of course, there are times when I give in to the consumerist culture that we live in, and start believing that I need more to be cool. We compliment the new stuff- the new clothes, the new haircut, the new piece of technology, the new computer, the new ipod, the new cell phone. So, sometimes I just want to be complimented. I want to be up on the latest trends. I don’t want to be labeld as archaic or plain or outdated. But how do I reconcile these two things?
I think I have to understand what is making me want stuff. It’s how I was raised. Commercials. Growing up in Suburbia, USA, in a middle-upper middle class family. Now that I’m newly married to a man who desires simplicity (not just pseudoly, but he truly prefers it), I’m left to fight this battle inside me. I want but I don’t need. But we’re in America, right? The land of freedom and opportunity. We’ve earned the money that we have. It’s ours. We have all these cool toys at our disposal, so why not?
Sometimes I think, “Well, I could get this stuff now, and then if/when we go to africa, i’ll have to sell it all, and then i’ll be simple. I’ll wait til then though.” But, I mean, it’s like people who say, “I’m young, I want to have fun now and do what I want. I’ll settle down later. I’ll be obedient to God after I start a family.”
The question I’m struggling with (that not many, even myself, can candidly speak to because of our biases to maintain the lifestyle we have)– is simpliciity biblical? Is consumerism biblical? Does God make some people rich so they can have nice houses, nice cars, vacations to the beach, cute clothes, fun hobbies that eat money, the newest technology gadgets? Because many many of us in America think that He does. But, I have this eating, nagging at my stomach that we have a big responsibility that may require that we stop choosing those things, and just give our money away the way God would. I think God can give us the ability to make a lot of money, but not to “be rich” (i.e. living on less, giving away more).
I am sad that no one talks about this, and no one will ever admit that they spend their money incorrectly. But I want to be challenged on this. And sometimes it’s easier to live this way when you have a community of people around you who thinks similarly. It’s less tempting. Because money is one of the gods of America, and I think that we are having a hard time seeing beyond the cultural norm to the invisible reality and the kingdom at hand.
Will anyone be so brave as to dialogue about this? What do you think?
June 19th, 2006 at 10:44 am
That’s a great post, Tiffany. And you’re right, it is a subject we try to avoid all too often because it can be very uncomfortable.
There’s so much to be discussed from the issues that you’ve raised, but I though I’d just start by asking one question. And that is just whether there is a one size fits all approach to this issue of simplicity? Should every follower of Christ live on the absolute minimum and give away every possible penny/cent we can? Or is that level more of a specific challenge and call God places on some? That’s not to suggest that generosity isn’t something that is required of all followers, but Romans 12 does seem to suggest that giving is also a specific spiritual gift that some - not all - have.
I think we are all called to use the resources we have wisely and under the leadership of God’s Spirit. But does that look the same for everyone? Maybe God gives some people special grace in this area.
None of this is to suggest in any way that we don’t need to be reguarly challenged that this area of our lives is surrendered to God and His values and priorities. It is just to raise the question of whether the exact same thing is required of each of us.
Here’s one other thought. Many of us have been essentially taught that we give 10% to God and then pretty much do what we want with the rest. I think that is unhelpful. I think that now that we are under grace and the leading of the Spirit rather than the law, 100% of our resources need to be surrendered to God. ALL my money is His and I need to always seek Him with our I spend HIS money.
I think I’ve wandered all over the place there, but thanks for starting the conversation, and I hope this is a useful contribution to that discussion.
June 19th, 2006 at 11:03 am
Those are some good points, Sam. Thanks for adding your thoughts and questions.
I would agree with you that it all isn’t going to look the same. Some will be poor and live on minimal amounts. Some will make more and give less away. And some will probably have some things that are “nice”, but they will be used for the benefit of others.
And I believe that with all of my heart. And like you said, that doesnt mean we don’t need to be challenged about it. I guess I just feel the need to overstate things so that people will take a good look. Because I have a hard time believing God tells pastors to drive BMWs, have a million dollar-homes, and a house on the beach when thousands are starving around the world.. I mean, it sounds so cliche to say that….but, with all that we know about the world, and seeing the people around us, I can’t imagine living in luxury while people across town are having a hard time making ends meet.
But I think it is going to look different for sure. I guess that’s the beauty of living by the Spirit.
June 19th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I was just talking to Carrie the other day about how whenever someone buys something they always talk about what a great deal they got. Even if the deal sucked no one ever says, they really took me when I bought this. I was reminded of our conversation when you said that no one ever talks about spending money incorrectly.
As a sidenote, I saw people modeling simplicity while I was in NYC. I won’t rewrite it but you can check it out my post if you’re interested. They really challenged me by their example. (it’s one of the NYC posts, not sure exactly which one.)
Good post, btw.
June 19th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
This is a great post Tiff! Really encouraging and thought provoking.
I think there are many examples of followers of God who were blessed to be weathly (Solomon and Lydia come quickly to mind) and others who didn’t have much “wealth” at all (Paul and Christ). God seemed to use all of these people (rich and not so rich) to move forward the Kingdom.
No matter how you cut it…if you live in America you will always be “rich” according to the world’s standard. (I think those in the US who live on welfare are still in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world…imagine that). So you won’t be able to get too far away from being known as “rich.”
Here’s a thought I was recently challenged with as I was leading Mosaic. I really wanted to give every dollar that came into our account away (simply b/c I thought God was leading us to that). Then one of our leaders suggested this….”If we give everything we own away now, what’s make us so sure that we will be here next year to help meet people’s needs then?” That really stuck with me. We need to be generous (both as a community of faith and as people of faith) but there is something inside of us also that says “prepare for the future needs” that others will have.
I think as long as you understand every dollar belongs to Him so that you can help get the Gospel around the earth then you can make as much money as you want. In fact we probably could use a few more multi-millionaires out there living for Christ and the Kingdom. But if you choose a simpler life, nothing wrong with that either.
Final thought….”The love of money is the root of all evil” not money in general. Money is a blessing from God. I hope we all see that as such.
Thanks for making us think about things much more important.