Simplicity.
Today is pay day. Once upon a time pay day was both the happiest and saddest day in the month. I remember for 15 minutes I would feel like the richest man in the world. The money was in my account, nothing needed to come out yet, I could get anything I wanted, or so I thought at the time. For those brief moments I was rich!!! Then eventually reality sank in about how I had to pay for this, that and the other. Then I felt real sad. No more buying comics. No more getting books. No chance of purchasing those gadgets I wanted. I wouldn’t be able to go to the cinema as much as I wanted. Wowsers all those dreams up in smoke again. Literally, poor Christopher.
Instead I would do the responsible thing. Or more accurately my wife and I would do the responsible thing. Bills paid. Food on the table. Children looked after. Giving accounted for. Sensible, honest, the responsible thing. Still, there was a part of me that felt … well … that it was literally, poor Christopher.
Today Authrine and I had a very different conversation about finances. A very good one. Once that conversation was over, I remember going to work and thinking about the kind of day I would have. I was informed that apparently this was the day to cash in on some great deals – huge discounts and the like, thanks to some Friday taking on a Black tone. Back in the day that would have been manna from heaven for me. Think about the deals I could get. Ooohhh goodie, goodie.
Today, however, it occurred to me that there is great beauty in simplicity. In and of itself there’s nothing wrong with material goods. After all we’re meant to have dominion over the planet we’re put on, so the material goods are meant to be for our benefit. Yet with the rest of this warped world in which we live because of the sin pervades we’ve even made idols out of the things that supposed to work for us.
I was reminded of the Tenth Commandment and what the problem is in the world that legalises covetousness under the guise of consumerism and commercialism. I saw the problem and considered the solution is found in the solution to idolatry – loving the Lord and finding complete contentment in Him. Why would I want what my neighbour has, when I’m content with the Father who gives me my daily bread? Why would I desire what my neighbour has, when I’m satisfied with what the Father has provided for my every need?
I am grateful today to be given not just my basic needs but a number of other things that would mark me out as being ‘rich’. I live in a good home. I have a full time job that enables me to keep up with payments on the home. We are able to support our children with their basic requirements and so ‘luxuries’. We own a vehicle that allows us to travel within the city and when we need to around the country.
In saying that, we’re not yet debt-free. We don’t have all the trappings of success and material prosperity, but faith in God and enjoying the riches of knowing Him allows us to embrace certain things. We accept that true contentment is found more in the simplicity of God alone than in having loads of material goods.
As I said, I’m not against material goods and people having material goods. The same scripture that has Paul talking about being content in what he has, talks about the wealth of Abraham, Isaac and Solomon. The beauty of creation is that we’re meant to enjoy all of it. That can be done with pure hearts whose rest is found in the riches of knowing God.
I am grateful for the riches of knowing God and the simplicity of expressing that in every day life not caught up in the rat race of keeping up with the Joneses. It’s a beautiful daily challenge enough keeping with Jesus.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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