Detachment from possessions is foundational to Christian spirituality and to apostolic mobility and impact. For some this means forsaking all. For others a life of simplicity.

1. 1. Breakfast Time
2. Work Time
3. RetailTime
4. Dinner Time
5. Family Time
6. Spare Time

2. Simplicity
Viv Grigg

3. Greed = Idolatory (Col 3:5)
• We are likely to be excluded from
the Kingdom
Nothing Sinful Here

4. But
• The cares of the world
• The delight in riches
• The desire for other things
• Creeeeeep in
– And take away the word, the fire, the
source of life, the hammer that
breaks the rock in pieces

5. Simplicity
A message for those who have
---------------------------------
Sacrificial, Simple Lifestyles

6. Its junk or Jesus
Every possession binds

7. • Luke 14:26-33

8. • Surrounded by so great a clowd of
witnesses
• Travelled with a band of brothers these
30 years
– Assissi
– Pr John Baptist Lukwago
– Paul, Sold a Forest
– David, Left a Career
– Jim, eats only two meals a
day and gives the other to
the poor
– Now hundreds living among
the poor….

9. The Call To The Rich For Radical Repentance
1. Analysis Of Poverty => Analysis Of Riches
2. Jesus Loved The Rich
3. Parable Of the Rich Fool (12:13-21)
4. Give Up Unconditionally Your Attachment
To Riches (Luke 12:33, 14:33)
5. You Cannot Serve God And Money (16:13-
15)
6. The Rich Man And Lazarus (16:19-31)
7. Gaining The World, Losing Your Soul (9:25)

10. •

11. 2. Non-Destitute Poverty
The Master not only chose
poverty in birth, in life and
death, he also calls his servants
to such a lifestyle. We
recognize our basic needs for
food and clothing (I Timothy
6:6-8, Matthew 6:25-33), which
may include tools of our trade,
children’s toys.

12. 2. Non-Destitute Poverty (cont.)
We recognize the just need, inferred
from the Scriptures for each family
to own its own home, although
some, like the Master, may choose a
mobile, apostolic life with nowhere
to lay one’s head (Luke 9:58). In
putting our treasure in heaven, we
covet the unsearchable riches of
Christ.

13. 2. Non-destitute Poverty (cont.)
•
We desire to possess nothing that
cannot be shared with those around
us. Regarding what we have, we hold it
not as our own but rather as lent to us
for a season. We will seek to exclude
from both our personal and communal
lives the cares of the world, the delight
in riches and the desire for other
things (Matthew 4:19).

14. We will avoid the abundance
of communal properties or
wealth. Buildings,
administration and ministry
shall be developed in the
simplest manner consistent
with good health and with
efficient, well-pleasing work.
2. Non-destitute Poverty (cont.)

15. 3. Inner Simplicity
Renouncing possessions is an
outworking of an inner
simplifying of our lives which
lead to the openness,
gentleness, spontaneity, and
serenity that marked the
Master.
In renouncing possessions we
seek to simplify our external
lives in order to simplify more
clearly our inner lives and
focus on knowing our Lord.

16. Along with outward poverty, we
desire an inner humility; along
with servant works, we seek the
spirit of a true servant.
In caring little for this world where
we are strangers and pilgrims,
we set our hearts on that
spiritual home where our
treasure is being saved up, and
on that glory which we shall
share with our Lord, provided we
suffer with him.
3. Inner Simplicity (cont)

17. We encourage middle-class
Christians to such simplicity of
lifestyle. For some it means
earning less, and using their time
for the kingdom.
For others it means to earn much,
consume little, hoard nothing, give
generously and celebrate living.
Such lifestyles are infinitely varied.
We refuse to judge others in such
areas.
3. Inner Simplicity (Cont)

18. Principle of Simplicity
I Tim 6:6-10
A Lifestyle of Simplicity
Earn much
Consume Little
Hoard Nothing
Give Generously
Celebrate Life

19. Its junk or Jesus
Every possession binds
Step 1: Forsake, radical action
•List your possessions
•Give
•Or sell and give to the poor
–PKMoses in Hyderabad
–Chea Vantha, Phnom Phen
–John Baptist Lukwago, Kampala
•Share
Step 2: Live Simply
Budget
Manage
Use for Kingdom
Work as a community