simplicity standards

On my quest for simplicity, I stumbled upon More or Less by John Shinabarger, which I had downloaded months back as a Kindle freebie and just recently started reading it. It is straightforward. It is basic. It is like answering right there questions in class. It is constantly saying things that I know and believe, with sprinkles of inspiration that keep me going. But there is a truth that made the simple life more attainable and made me question what simplicity is. What is enough? What does it look like for me and my family. Yes, we have enough. God has blessed us graciously and we have a surplus of things. And most likely if you are reading this, you do, too but that is another story. We are rich. God has been showing me how rich we are since giving my life to Jesus.

Being rich is not about having millions in the bank and houses in other continents or states. It is about having more than you need. It is the mere fact you have options. It is deciding which pair of pants you will wear. Which food sounds good to eat for lunch. Which kind of cream you like in your coffee. Which decor you want displayed in your home.

When food, clothing and shelter needs are not met, options are not important or typically offered.

Simplicity is asking yourself what is enough for you. How many shirts do you need in your closet? How much food do you need in the fridge? How many square feet do you need to live in? What is enough for you to be content?

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Simplicity is asking what you will be content with having. Nothing we have is ours. It belongs to God. He made it and has given it to you. He has blessed you and given you more than you probably need, which is not a bad thing. It is when it starts ensnaring you that it becomes an issue. When you start coveting those blessings. When you start lusting after the new car or home or phone or outfit. When you think only of yourself with your material and monetary possessions, not caring for those who needs are not met. When the care for the item becomes more than the caring of relationships and of people. 

Praying that you will find contentment in God alone and that through his grace he will open your eyes to your abundance. Praying that you will be able to set boundaries in your life that instill simplicity in your life and change the way you think of needs and wants. Praying that you will not fall in to marketing but would truly enjoy what you have. 

Praying that you will not fall in to temptation or lust for material items this Christmas season but that you would seek out to fill the needs of others with your abundance. Praying that you would be able to determine what is enough for you and go from there.  

Here's to less stuff and more contentment.