The outward expression of Simplicity
By Richard Foster
Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Cars should not be bought for their utility, not their prestige. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life.
Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need, such a cheerful soroundings and an adiction – something you can not do , or be without, such as television, coffe, newspaper or chocolate. If money has a grip on your heart, give some away and feel the inner release. Simplicity is freedom, not slavery. Refuse to be slave to anything but God.
Develop a habit of giving. De-accmulate!
Refuse to be propagandized by custodians of modern gadgety. Sometimes „new“ feature are only a way of inducing us to buy what we do not need.
Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach wothout feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy parks and libraries.
Develop a deeper apreciation for the creation. Wals whenever you can Listen to the birds. Marvel in the rich colors everywhere. Simplicit means to discover once again that the earth is the Lord’s and everhing in it Ps 24:1
Look awith a healthy skepticism at all „buy now, pay later“ schemes. Certainly prudence as well as simplicity would demand that we use extreme caution before incurring debt.
Obey Jesus instruction about plain, honest speech Mt 5:37. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing charakterics of your speech. A lack of simplicity in one area, such as speech, can undermine simplicity in another area.
Reject anything that will breed oppression of others. In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others?
Seek first His kingdom
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