a simple desire

i am in the process of reading a book by John Michael Talbot about Francis of Assisi, 'The Lessons of St. Francis: How to Bring Simplicity and Spirituality into Your Daily Life.' It is pretty tough to read because it is a Franciscan monk talking about the founder of his order. It is tough because it sets forth a lot of personal challenges that i need to deal with. There have been times in my life when i wanted to either be a hermit or a monk (the difference between those is the motivation behind the separation). According to Talbot, it isn't too late to join up (don't know how my wife would like that). There are a lot of benefits to the lifestyle because it does eliminate most of the concerns that we face due to us having a materialistic nature. You do end up with a lot more time and energy to focus on serving rather than acquiring and keeping things. Jennifer and i do want to have a simple lifestyle, not just because it is easier to afford, but you don't get so caught up in trying chasing after it all. It just seems so exhausting. It just never stops. It bleeds you. You try to get a Hummer so you arrange things in your portfolio and work out the financing, maybe take out a second mortgage. Then there is the car insurance. Then there is the gas. Nothing against having a vehicle that is the right size for your family. Nothing against having a way to get around in severe weather. But, honestly, who really needs an urban assault vehicle. Why do you need to have a car that big and that expensive? You don't. That is a want. That is a toy. That is something you get to show off. Pure and simple. The same can be argued for a monstrous house, 30 pairs of shoes, designer suits. You want to portray a certain image of success. i just have to ask, "is it really necessary?" of course the answer is no (although we try hard to justify). i have to ask another question, "is this the way the Master Teacher desired His followers live?" "would He be proud that i look so accomplished and successful?" "would my Father God be proud that His child's appearance was one that made others covet?" no. no. no.
Does this mean that He wants us to go around looking like the dregs of society? No, although if He did He would not be ashamed to call us His children.
Throughout the Bible i have found calls for us to be successful in whatever we do. The reasons i find for it though are so 1) God may be glorified and 2) we may have more to help more. The money that you are able to keep from spending can be used to help others. Looking at the examples set in the 1st century church, they really worked to take care of each other. Does this mean giving everything we have to others so that we have to live as paupers? No. Paul laid it out in 2 Corinthians 8: 13-15
"Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone's needs will be met. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? 'Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.'"

This idea is not uniquely Christian (although the concept did originate with God), Gandhi put it very well when he said "live simply so that others may simply live."
This concept of living simply will not only help others, but it will help ourselves. In our homes, most troubles, arguments, and divorces have their root in money problems. Many times the money problems are there because they tried to live beyond their ability to pay for it. Credit cards, used in the right way, can be a good tool. Those times where they can be used in the right way is very few and far between. Their usage trains us to do some very harmful things. There are several problems. One is the arrogance in saying "i know i will have the funds to take care of this later." Another is poor stewardship, you may be great about finding bargains in the store, but with sky high interest rates you are paying much more. Credit card debt is a terrible epidemic in our nation. The only ones who can stop it is us. We don't need to wait for some government cure. Government's solutions to problems that we have the ability to control only causes more problems for the nation (more debt, more governrmental control, more bureaucracy, more entitlements, more for our kids to worry about when they are adults).
Here is a few reasons for living simply:
1: you don't spend so much money on stuff
2: you don't have to pay so much in sales tax (we already pay way too much income tax)
3: you have money saved in taxes that you can put to good uses that you decide on, charities that you approve of
4: you have more available to pay down your already existing debts
5: you can start saving for tomorrow (maybe a self supported mission trip?)

Talbot gives some questions to ask ourselves:
~Do i have some possessions that complicate my life but don't really bring me any enjoyment?
~What are somethings that do bring me enjoyment but may not be worth the cost in time, money, and concern?
~Do i buy things that i don't need, don't use, or can't afford?
~What do i really need and what do i really want?
~Am i consuming more than my fair share of the world's limited resources?
~What am i doing to help those who are less fortunate than myself?
~Is there some of my surplus that could benefit others with less?

I think these are a good starting point in trying to see where we are, as long as we are honest in answering them. As for what to do next, pray and believe that true guidance and direction will come. Talbot suggest something like this prayer,
"God, give me new eyes to see my life as You see it. And give me a new heart to sense the difference between my wants and my needs. Give me compassion for the suffering of the world, and a willingness to help those who are hurting. Amen."

amen and amen
raymond, a child of the King