Finding Balance Within Simplicity 

Scripture is full of paradoxes and tensions. There are errors on the right, and errors on the left. There is a narrow road to walk with many pitfalls on either side. Naturally then, there should be warnings, cautions, and teachings that push away from the left and away from the right to keep one on the narrow path of truth and righteousness. 

The Danger of Wealth

One area of tension that I wrestle with regularly is the area of possessions, wealth, contentment, and simplicity. In Scripture, we find many intense passages that clearly and aggressively push against the human urge to acquire wealth, riches, and glory. Whether it is Jesus’s saying that no one who does not give up all of his possessions can be his disciple (Luke 14:33), or James telling the rich to weep and howl for the misery that is coming upon them (James 5:1-6), the Christian Scriptures have a lot to say to push followers of Christ toward a life a simple living.

And here in America, one of the wealthiest nations in the world (and arguably that has ever existed), even those who do not count themselves among the rich, must be humble enough to place themselves within the wider context of human existence. Even a modest modern American life is extraordinarily luxurious compared to the rest of human history. 

Complete Rejection Is Not the Answer

However, this is not the only word that the Scriptures speak in relation to material things. Those who preach a flat-out rejection of material things, such as marriage or certain foods, are counted among the demonically influenced (I Tim. 4:1-5). The entire creation narrative speaks of a God who lavishly fills this earth with good things to be enjoyed and celebrated by human beings, who are the pinnacle of God’s creation. Indeed, “the earth is the LORD’s and all it contains” (I Cor. 10:26); and by this truth “nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude” (I Tim. 4:4).

Without these latter truths balancing the former truths, there is a tendency for people within church history to fall into the trappings of asceticism (which I would define as a severe type of self-discipline against worldly things which goes beyond what Scripture teaches). The Apostle Paul has to directly address this when he states that this way of ascetic thinking has “the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Col. 2:23). By having a proper understanding of both ends of Scripture’s teachings, we find that in the place of unbiblical asceticism, the spiritual discipline of simplicity is a much more healthy place for Christians to land. 

Simplicity vs. Asceticism  

Richard Foster describes the way in which simplicity and asceticism, while at surface level may seem to have some overlap, are in fact complete opposites when he writes:

Asceticism and simplicity are mutually incompatible. Occasional superficial similarities in practice must never obscure the radical difference between the two. Asceticism renounces possessions. Simplicity sets possessions in proper perspective. Asceticism finds no place for a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Simplicity rejoices in this gracious provision from the hand of God. Asceticism finds contentment only when it is abased. Simplicity knows contentment in both abasement and abounding (Phil. 4:12). Simplicity is the only thing that sufficiently reorients our lives so that possessions can be genuinely enjoyed without destroying us.¹ 

As Foster makes clear, there is a critical importance to recognizing the differences between the two. The best way to do this is to remember the whole counsel of God. Extreme perspectives are usually fallen into by isolating a single verse from the rest of Scripture’s teaching. While taking all of God’s Word seriously, we must never forget that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16). By doing so, we are kept from the errors that occur when we are scripturally imbalanced. Without this balance, we might have our favorite proof text, but we will be living outside the whole counsel of God, which is never a good place to be. 

Finding the Right Balance

All this said, I still struggle with finding the sweet spot for how I live my life with regard to possessions and material comforts. It’s why I’ve written about how giving is the secret to overcoming materialism and the fear of death, and why we ought to give til’ it hurts, and why we should still give thanks for all good things. I wrestle as I write, and yet I do hope that my labor bears some fruit for your own walk with Christ. 

Every now and then, though, I come across a passage that someone has written that just provides so much clarity on where I think Scripture’s cumulative teachings land. It is not that these writings in any way supplant Scripture, but rather they illuminate what I believe to be the proper interpretation or application of the entirety of Scripture’s teachings on a particular topic. 

Recently, I came across another such passage as it relates to simplicity and all the nuances required to think through it well. I found the statement in a commentary of John Stott’s that I was reading, and the excerpt was taken from “The Evangelical Commitment to Simple Lifestyle”. It’s a fittingly simple statement, but I believe it hits all the right marks, while also leaving room for personal conscience and Christian liberty. It says:

We resolve to renounce waste and oppose extravagance in personal living, clothing and housing, travel and church buildings. We also accept the distinction between necessities and luxuries, creative hobbies and empty status symbols, modesty and vanity, occasional celebrations and normal routine, and between the service of God and slavery to fashion. Where to draw the line requires conscientious thought and decision by us, together with the members of our family.² 

Reflection

I believe that this is a good word for all Christians, but particularly we Christians in the wealthy West ought to give it more thought. How wasteful are we? Are we living extravagant lives? Compared to whom? The richest men in the richest nation? Or the average human being that has ever walked this earth? Are we selfishly hoarding our possessions or are we faithfully stewarding them? Where are the limits to our spending or our endless quest for earthly comfort? Do we even have limits? 

And yet… do we have a good balance here? Do we have the theological safeguards established against self-righteous legalism? Do we know that the demon likes both the ravenous glutton and the empty ascetic? Can we be content in both poverty and riches? While suffering need or having abundance? Do we understand both our responsibility and our freedom?  

Ah, the paradoxes of the Christian life. They do not make life simple. But, if we are patient and are seeking after God, they lead us little by little into the true and good life which God calls us to. Both in all its simplicity, and in all its complexity. 

Notes

1. Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth; Special Anniversary Edition (New York, NY: Harper One, 2018), 84-85 
2. Quoted in: John Stott, The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus: The Life of the Local Church; Revised Edition (Downer Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 141

Photo by Ronaldo de Oliveira on Unsplash