Poverty, Industry, Simplicity
Richard Foster suggests that during the course of Christian history, there have been three “vows” that demonstrate the various approaches Christians have taken towards money and possessions:[i]
- First, some have responded with a vow of poverty. They have done what the rich man who came to Jesus did not do: they sold all they had and gave it to the poor. They renounced all possessions. Jesus may ask some of us to do that same thing. There may be some of us who need to renounce our possessions. There may be a few called by God to sell all they have and give it to the poor. But not all in Scripture were called to make that vow of poverty. Many godly people in Scripture did not renounce all their possessions and give all they had to the poor.
- Second, Foster says that some Christians have responded with a vow of industry. Where the vow of poverty might be most closely associated with the monks, the vow of industry might be most closely associated with the Puritans. Being industrious became highly valued by Christians. A godly person was one who labored hard and reaped the fruit of his labor. A strong work ethic was important in following God. Unfortunately, this vow of industry ultimately equated to serving money because the more industrious and hard working one became, the more wealth one earned, and the more wealth one wanted.
- Foster suggests that Scripture points toward a third vow which Christians can and should take. It is a vow that enables us to possess without mis-using and mis-trusting possessions. It is a vow that ensures God’s will is done with the goods over which he’s made us stewards. It is a vow which avoids the problems of the vow of poverty and the vow of industry. He calls it the vow of simplicity.
Simplicity is something many of us long for. In 2009 results were released from a significant study on simplicity.[ii] Father and son Thom and Art Rainer asked more than one thousand Americans about their pace, their schedules, and their quality of life. The Rainer’s found that a vast majority of us are longing for simpler lives. We long for more balance and less busyness, for increased flexibility and decreased complexity. We yearn for time to just enjoy life. We long for simplicity. Specifically, the Rainer’s found that we seek simplicity in four areas:
- Schedules. We want a better balance in our schedules so that we have time for areas of life that really matter to us.
- Relationships. We long for better and closer relationships and friendship.
- Finances. We dream of a life free from past-due bills, diminishing income, or increasing debt.
- Spirituality. We are too busy for God and need a simpler life in order to get closer to him.
The authors write: “Busyness has consumed us. In our survey we were amazed to see that approximately 44 percent of respondents agreed that if their daily life continued at the current pace, they would probably have health problems…Of course, not just our physical health is suffering. Our families are also impacted…Some 57 percent of married survey respondents admitted that they rarely are able to go on a date with their spouses…We asked if their family members were able to relax and enjoy one another. Only 13 percent agreed strongly that they could…In our survey more than 45 percent of the respondents admitted that they did not have enough income for their lifestyles. For many of us, money is a ball and chain attached around the ankle, limiting our life’s movement. Nearly seven out of ten…said that they needed to spend more time on spiritual matters.
A more simple life is one key towards living into Jesus’ vision for our lives when it comes to material possessions. Like Practicing the Presence, simplicity is a discipline which does not require much time at all. It is a different mindset. It is a different approach to life.
Here are some “Simple Suggestions” for simplifying your life.[iii] Read through them. Choose one to focus on and pray about today.
#1) If you haven’t used it in a year or more, get rid of it
#2) Move to a smaller house
#3) Drive a simple car.
#4) Sell the boat
#5) Build a simple wardrobe
#6) Reduce your entertainment expenses.
#7 Simplify meals when you have others over
#8) Turn off the television
#9) Cancel most magazine subscriptions.
#10) Don’t answer the phone just because it’s ringing
#11) Simplify gift-giving
#12) Take a vacation at home.
#13) Live on half of what you earn
#14) Allow purchases on only 1 day per week
#15) Delay major purchases for two weeks.
#16) Get rid of all but one or two credit cards
#17) Work where you live or live where you work
#18) Always split a restaurant meal.
#19) Make water your drink of choice
#20) Pack your lunch
#21) Drive the speed limit.
#22) If it’s not working, stop doing it
[i] Richard Foster, Money, Sex & Power, 5-7, 71-87.
[ii] Thom S. Rainer & Art Rainer, Simple Life (B & H Publishing, 2009).
[iii] Simple suggestions are compiled from the following sources: Richard Foster Freedom of Simplicity (HarperOne, 2005); Elaine St. James Simplify Your Life (Hyperion, 1994); H. Norman Wright Simplify Your Life And Get More Out of It! (Tyndale, 1998); Richard Foster, “The Discipline of Simplicity,” Simpler Living, Compassionate Life edited by Michael Schut (Living the Good News, 1999), 180-189; John Ortberg The Life You’ve Always Wanted (Zondervan, 1997); Kim Thomas Simplicity (Broadman & Holman, 1999).
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