There is nothing else.
is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. You must eliminate hurry from your life —Dallas Willard
If you want to experience the LIFE of Jesus, you have to adopt the
of Jesus.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my YOKE upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my YOKE is easy and my burden is light.” —Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” —Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30, The Message
Jesus is not offering you an
from your life; Jesus is offering you the for your life.
“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society… We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of… in almost every act of our daily lives…we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons… who pull the wires which control the public mind.” —Edward Bernays, Propaganda
“No matter where you live, your emotional well-being is as good as it’s going to get at $75,000…and money’s not going to make it any better beyond that point. It’s like you hit some sort of ceiling, and you can’t get emotional well-being much higher just by having more money.” —Dr. Angus Deaton
“Just a little bit more.” —John D. Rockefeller
Affluenza
“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they RUSH about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.” —David, Psalm 39:6
“If you go against the grain of the universe, you get SPLINTERS.” —H.H. Farmer
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” —Jesus, Acts 20:35
“You cannot serve both God and money.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:24
“Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” —Jesus, Luke 12:15
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:19-21
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body is full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body is full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” —Jesus, Matthew 6:22-23
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:24
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:25
“Simplicity/Minimalism: The intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from them.” —Joshua Becker
“Command those who are RICH in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain…Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” —1st Timothy 6:17-19
Steps Toward Simplicity
Before you buy something, ask yourself, “What is the true cost of this item?”
Before you buy, ask yourself, “By buying this, am I oppressing the poor or harming the earth?”
Never impulse buy.
When you do buy, opt for fewer, better things.
When you can, share.
Get into the habit of giving things away.
Live by a budget.
Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
Cultivate a deep appreciation for creation.
Cultivate a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures.
Recognize advertising for what it is—propaganda. Call out the lie.
Lead a cheerful, happy revolt against the spirit of materialism.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13
“I have LEARNED to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have LEARNED the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” —Philippians 4:11-12
“Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is MEANINGLESS, a chasing after the wind.” —Ecclesiastes 6:9
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Jesus, Matthew 6:33