1. A message in the sermon series “The Story Behind Your Story; the spiritual disciplines”

2.  The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life- style.  To attempt to arrange an outward life-style of simplicity without the inward reality leads to deadly legalism.

3.  God’s Word deals consistently with the inner spirit of slavery that an idolatrous attachment to wealth brings.  Psalm 62:10 “Don’t try to get rich by extortion or robbery. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” NLT  The Aramaic term for wealth is “mammon,” and Jesus condemns it as a rival “god.”  Matthew 6:24 “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 mammon.” NIV

4. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

5.  Luke 12:13-21, New International Version (NIV) The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

6.  Matthew 6:25, 33 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

7.  The central point for the discipline of simplicity is to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of his kingdom first, and then everything necessary will come in its proper order.  Christ calls all who would follow him to a joyful life of carefree unconcern for possessions.

8.  Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes that we can develop for an INWARD reality of simplicity? (before we talk about the OUTWARD reality of simplicity).

9.  First, receive what you have as a gift from God. “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)

10.  Second, recognize that God can care for what you have. “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

11.  Third, make what you have available to others. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)

12.  First, buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.  Vehicles  Living Space  Clothes

13.  Second, reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.  Distinguish between psychological needs and addictions  Think about what you eat, drink, listen to, etc.

14.  Third, develop a habit of giving things away.  “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)  De-accumulate

15.  Fourth, refuse to be manipulated by the guardians of gadgetry.  The deception of “Time-saving” devices  The lie of “Purchase now, pay later”

16.  Fifth, learn to enjoy things without owning them. “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” Luke 15:31 in the story of the Prodigal Son (NIV)

17.  Six, obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech. “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 (NIV)

18.  Seventh, ignore anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.  Ask: If I do this work/job/educational endeavor/etc., will it or can it glorify God, building His kingdom and not my own? If so, is now the time?  Ask: How can I become more like Christ in my life even doing what I’m doing now in my life?