Live Simply - week 2

Last week I looked at the Live Simply promise. This week my aim is to reflect on what it means to fulfil the part of the promise that says we will 'live simply'.

I have had to think long and hard about this and I want to share with you an approach that works for me using two passages of scripture.

To live simply I need to remember that the true value of my life is not to be found in what I own or how much I have in my bank account. Or even in how fancy my possessions look when compared to those of my friends. To remember that at the end of my life I can take nothing of this with me.

It seems to me that the important thing is that I focus my hearts desire differently. My true riches are to be found not in the material world but instead in my relationships with others. Jesus said 'your heart will always be where your riches are' Luke 12.34. I need perhaps to say that phrase to myself regularly. So that I can change where my heart is at. To refocus my heart so that my decision is that my riches are now going to be found in relationships. And that I am no longer so concerned with the accumulation of wealth. The assets that I do own I surrender to use for building relationships or building community.

The second piece of scripture that I found useful is from St Paul.

Philippians 4:12-13, TLB. "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power"

He talks here - and I think elsewhere about living in times of plenty and in times of hardship and yet being content in both. And I think that is what happens when we give up the unequal struggle with our possessions and discover the peace that can be found in Christ.