SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."  

2 Corinthians 11:3

The simplicity that there is in Christ brings us freedom.  Our Lord Jesus Christ came to set free those who were captives because of the slavery of sin.  

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.  He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed."  Luke 4:18

So often, we are led astray by subtleties, false teachings, busyness, riches, possessions, achievements, goals, desires, activities, and dreams. These can only lead us away from the simplicity of resting in Christ. The more we engage in these activities, achievements, and goals, the easier we become captives. In other words, we are enslaved by them. Jesus said our heart cannot serve two masters, meaning we cannot serve Him and our earthly desires and possessions at the same time.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."  Matthew 6:24

The essence of simplicity in Christ lies within the heart of man. It is a way of life rooted in the heart rather than one's desires and possessions. The peace found in Christ brings about a deep satisfaction within us. This inner peace reduces our attachment to worldly desires and possessions, diminishing our need for them to fulfill and satisfy us. When our hearts are filled with idolatrous attachments to earthly possessions, it crowds out Christ. Our hearts should first seek after Christ and all spiritual riches. Earthly riches, possessions, and other material pursuits must hold less importance in our hearts. Let us not be deceived by subtle thoughts or attitudes of the heart. God blesses us when we serve Him with the right heart attitude. Let's reflect on what our prayers and petitions communicate to God. Are they mainly focused on material gains and possessions, or do they seek to deepen our relationship with Him? While we may rightfully pray for financial and physical needs, let's also genuinely seek the heavenly and spiritual riches. How can we become better followers of Him?

How many plan our lives for security and earthly wealth but wander aimlessly in spiritual matters? We forget that God desires us to be more motivated and zealous in spiritual matters for the sake of His kingdom than in gaining earthly possessions. God wants us to deepen our relationship with Him.

"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.  When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.  For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens."  Proverbs 23:4-5

Even when God has blessed us with material riches, our hearts in Christ yearn to bless others instead of accumulating everything for ourselves. It's important to remember that every good gift comes from above, from the merciful hand of God. Simplicity means understanding that God blesses us with material possessions, but ultimately, everything belongs to Him, the Giver of all blessings. The only way to avoid becoming enslaved by our possessions is to realize that we cannot take them when we die.

God only asks that we obey Him, follow His ways, and honor Him.  Since He blesses us with many gifts, we must always remember to praise Him for each blessing. When we disobey His commandments, we forget Him. We must not forget Him when we prosper; instead, we must remain humble and not become prideful. We should remember His steadfast love for us. Let's be cautious and remember what happened to the Israelites when they became ungrateful, forgot their Lord, and became proud instead of humble (Deuteronomy 8:6-16).

"Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him...   Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today;  otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.  In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end."

The thrill of living a bountiful life of blessings often causes us to forget God, who is the source of all these blessings. In our enjoyment of plenty, we may start walking away from God and towards the altar of self and material or earthly riches. As we go in the wrong direction, we might even begin worshipping at the altar of self, believing in our self-sufficiency. Jesus spoke strongly about the entrapment of prosperity and earthly riches, emphasizing their potential danger.

"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  Matthew 19:24

Our Lord Jesus desires and calls us to live a peaceful, simple, and free life in Him, unhindered by slavery to possessions, prosperity, and wealth. He wants us to treasure Him and the eternal life He has promised to all who believe and keep His commandments. Let us remember to keep our hearts fixed only on Him.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:21

Jesus, our Lord, has given us His Word and teachings regarding financial freedom. However, they are often conveniently ignored and overlooked. The financial freedom He desires for us isn't about amassing wealth but finding freedom from its fruitless pursuit. True freedom is discovered when we seek the peace that can only be found in pursuing and seeking after Him. We will find genuine satisfaction in whatever He provides us by seeking and pursuing Him. Yes, we must learn to be content with what He provides, as this will free us from the love of money and earthly riches.

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."'  Hebrews 13:5

"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy." I Timothy 6:17

May our Lord keep our hearts free from the entanglements of this world and its possessions. May we allow Him to show us His peace and rest and help us seek His riches. May we have the wisdom not to focus on earthly and vain things. May He show us His wisdom and ways that teach us the simplicity of a heart that must abide in us to abide in Him.

Luci

I leave you with the beautiful words of the sacred melody, "Be Thou My Vision."

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.