Six Reasons to Live More Simply and Give More Generously
Someone once shared the beautiful sentiment, "Live simply so that others may simply live."
It's a wonderful philosophy to embrace, though it's important to note that living simply doesn't automatically solve someone else's struggles or spread the message of hope. The true impact comes from how we choose to use the freedom and resources that a simpler lifestyle offers. The key lies in redirecting these resources to help those in need and share a message of faith. It assumes that we maintain a reasonable income to sustain this positive influence.
Wondering how to incorporate simplicity into our lives? The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to what works for each of us. For instance, we can opt for pre-owned cars instead of brand-new ones, choose modest homes over extravagant ones, and avoid unnecessary purchases like furniture purely for show. Repairing and reusing our clothing, shopping at thrift stores, and reducing spending on lavish meals can make a significant difference too. Carpooling, using public transportation, or biking instead of driving solo are eco-friendly and wallet-conscious options. However, it's crucial to find our personal motivation and reasons to make these choices.
Here are six compelling reasons to get you started:
1. Let's embrace a simpler life and share our abundance because our true home is in Heaven.
Imagine you're visiting another country, staying in a hotel for a short while. You can't take anything back with you, but you can send money home. Wouldn't you be careful not to fill the hotel room with unnecessary things? Our time on Earth is like that—it's short, and we can't take our possessions with us. Let's be wise and send our treasures ahead to our true home.
2. Simplifying our lives and giving generously shifts our focus and liberates us.
Just as Copernicus showed that the sun doesn't orbit the Earth, giving helps us realize that life doesn't revolve around material possessions. It's about surrendering to a greater center of gravity—God. Let's break free from the hold of materialism and find our center in Heaven through giving and simpler living.
3. We are channels of God's grace, entrusted to share and give to those in need.
Think of ourselves as God's delivery service, bringing His gifts to a world in need. Just like delivery companies, we're stewards entrusted with something valuable. Our excess wealth is meant to be shared generously, not hoarded. It's a beautiful act of love and service.
4. The joy and eternal reward that come from a simpler life and generous giving are priceless.
By choosing a simpler lifestyle and investing in God's kingdom, we're promised treasures in Heaven that far surpass anything we could amass on Earth. Let's find joy in knowing that our actions today create lasting, eternal impact.
5. Let's simplify and give generously to address the spiritual needs of our world.
Imagine God wants to help countless people and spread His message of love. He has given us the means to make this happen. The question is, are we using our resources to fulfill this purpose?
6. Live simply and give generously to address urgent physical needs in the world.
Following the biblical pattern of giving, let's respond to needs we see by providing what we can. It's about living on less than what we have been blessed with, sharing the excess to meet urgent needs. This aligns with God's intention of ensuring no one has too little, and no one has too much.
A quote from John Piper:
"Three billion people today are outside Jesus Christ. Two-thirds of them have no viable Christian witness in their culture. If they are to hear—and Christ commands that they hear—then cross-cultural missionaries will have to be sent and paid for. All the wealth needed to send this new army of good news ambassadors is already in the church. If we, like Paul, are content with the simple necessities of life, hundreds of millions of dollars in the church would be released to take the gospel to the frontiers. The revolution of joy and freedom it would cause at home would be the best local witness imaginable."