I wrote a blog that gave 7
Keys to Simplicity. It was far from an exhaustive list because there is no true list of regulations or guidelines to follow in order to make all the pain and worries of life go away. However, there are many principles which can lead us to a simpler and more joyful way of walking this Earth. One of my favorite keys to simplicity is abandoning the need of ownership.
Having money and large amounts of various materials is not wrong. What
is wrong is the condition of our heart and mind when we are convinced that our stuff belongs solely to ourselves (
Acts 4:32) and when we are unwilling to get rid of it all in the flash of an eye for the sake of the kingdom of G-D (
Mark 10:17-31). We must have healthy desires. G.K. Chesterton once proclaimed, “There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is desire less.”
Learn to accept you are borrowing anything you currently have from G-D (
Psalm 24:1) and that, just like Mother Theresa said, “If you have two pairs of shoes, the second belongs to the poor” (
Luke 3:11). It would be best to apply this to everything you possess. We may enjoy our things but we must detach ourselves from our things because they are fleeting (
1John 2:17,
Proverbs 23:5,
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20). As Jesus was believed to have said, “This world is only a bridge. Cross over it, but do not build your house on it!”
We should change the way we talk about stuff. Words are important and they can slowly convince us of an idea whether it is true or false. If we tell ourselves we own our cars, homes, computers, clothes, and miscellaneous objects then we’ll believe that everything currently in our possession is solely ours. If we tell others that they can have, borrow, and use anything we possess freely (
Psalm 112:5,
Romans 12:13,
Matthew 5:42) then we sever the chains that bind us to possessions and materialistic living.
We serve a generous G-D (
Mathew 20:1-16) and are to imitate him (Ephesians 5:1). As he shows mercy we should show mercy (
Matthew 5:48,
18:21-35). Whatever we inherit is given to us freely and is unearned and so it must be given freely (
Psalm 112:5,
Proverbs 11:25). To accumulate and not distribute is to live a life of selfishness. John Wesley once said, “Money never stays with me. It would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find its way into my heart.”
We do not have to live a life of poverty (as enticing as
Proverbs 13:8 may be), but we do have to live a life of simplicity. The life of simplicity is more of a joy than an obligation; after all, you have the choice of living a complicated or simple life. Anyone who surrenders ownership and embraces generous giving as they live with “enough” (
Proverbs 30:8,
Matthew 6:11,
Luke 11:3) will find great joy. Try it and see for yourself.
Matthew 6:19-24
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… "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.For greater words of wisdom on simplistic living I recommend you pick up
Celebration of Discipline and
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster.
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Comments (26)
You reference the Bible SO MUCH.
One of my favorite keys to simplicity is abandoning the need of ownership.
This belief is un-Biblical. In Genesis we see God create the universe and take great joy in it. His joy is actually the fruit of his labor. We see throughout the Bible that God loves it when man expresses gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Again, God is enjoying the fruits of his creation.
Man, created in God's image, was commissioned by God to work in God's creation as a steward and minister and also enjoy the fruits of his labor.
As God owns the fruits of his labor, so does man. This is because we were created in God's image. Ownership is part of stewardship and ministry. We need to own what we do because we are responsible for what we do.
It was Adam's failure to take responsibility and ownership of his ministry that contributed to the fall of mankind.
I'm thankful that I've always shared food with my roommate no matter where I've lived. I'm still amazed at how refrigerators and pantrys IN THE SAME HOME are partitioned. If Christian roommates can't even share, how can we expect to share beyond that? It is much simpler to share milk than have 3 cartons!
We serve a generous GOD (Mathew 20:1-16) and are to imitate him (Ephesians 5:1). As he shows mercy we should show mercy (Matthew 5:48, 18:21-35). Whatever we inherit is given to us freely and is unearned and so it must be given freely (Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 11:25).
This is an argument in support of charity, not an argument against ownership.
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.
Again, this is not an argument against ownership. It is an argument for good stewardship, generosity and holiness.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Yes, and, as you noted, God shared the fruit of his labors with humankind. So, as we work and enjoy the fruits of the labor he has given us (now marked by painful toil), we too are to share the fruit of labor. Ownership does not automatically lead to hoarding, but it makes it more appealing. Hoarding is not a Christian virtue. Ownership is not automatically storing up treasures here, but it makes it more appealing. Storing up treasures here is not a Christian virtue. TheGreatBout seems to be drawing our attention to the dangers that might await in being overcommitted to things we own.
@soy_esteban@xanga - TheGreatBout seems to be drawing our attention to the dangers that might await in overdoing the mentality of ownership.
Sorry but words mean things (Like the OP says: Words are important and they can slowly convince us of an idea whether it is true or false.) The title of this hit piece is "... The Need to Abandon Ownership."
If he wished to speak of the dangers of ownership than he should put that in the title.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I changed what I said before you posted, but it's not significant. I should let TheGreatBout speak for himself. But I do ask you, does ownership ever make charity more difficult? You can use my refrigerator comment as an example if you wish. Namely, "That's my milk, you can't use it."
@soy_esteban@xanga - But I do ask you, does ownership ever make charity more difficult?
No. It is being human that makes things difficult. We are prone to sin. It's in our nature. We can't help it.
But that does not change our Godly responsibilities and the fact that we must quest to continually improve as stewards and ministers of what our creative powers produce.
@soy_esteban@xanga - Again, in your last statement, you asked does ownership ever make charity more difficult? You're arguing in favor of "good stewardship, generosity and holiness" (LoBornLite), not against ownership. Ownership doesn't make charity difficult, selfishness does, which Paul addresses several times as being sin. Selfishness and ownership are not the same thing. Every person is different in terms of what they own, and how they use what they own, to be charitable or not. Being a good steward is part of ownership. Being charitable is a part of having something to be charitable with, therefore part of ownership. Being thankful is also part of ownership. I guess I don't see where your point is coming from.
@soy_esteban@xanga - If Christian roommates can't even share, how can we expect to share beyond that? It is much simpler to share milk than have 3 cartons!
Private property must be respected. Taking something that is not yours is stealing. Stealing violates Jesus' command, Thou shalt not steal. If ownership were unimportant than God would not have commanded, Thou shalt not steal.
Partitioning the refrigerator is healthy and appropriate. The partitions indicate who owns what and guide everyone so that they do not steal (violate the sacred ministry of ownership).
@LoBornlite@xanga - I'm not referring to peope who are without and steal, but those who have and do not have the heart to share with those who are without. If my roommate wants something that I've purchased, he can have it. It is not stealing. Also, Jesus can take my colt anytime. :)
@Quinners@xanga - You are right, I agree with LaBornlite in that I would want to argue for "good stewardship, generosity and holiness." I also agree that selfishness makes charity more difficult and that "selfishness and ownership are not the same thing." What I'm asking is whether or not there are practices or ways of thinking regarding material possessions that help us to live more generously and selflessly. No, I can never get rid of selfishness, but I believe I can make choices about and think about my possessions in ways that lead me to live more charitably. I want to be ready to respond to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:40: "And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." Drawing a line around what I have and saying, "It's mine! Don't touch!" has not proven helpful in that task.
awesome words wow.. quoted by mother theresa..
I have no idea why anyone even responds to LoBornlite@xanga anymore. Really.
@soy_esteban@xanga - I'm not referring to peope who are without and steal, but those who have and do not have the heart to share with those who are without.
You must mind you own business, nevertheless. All giving must be done from free will.
@soy_esteban@xanga - What I'm asking is whether or not there are practices or ways of thinking regarding material possessions that help us to live more generously and selflessly.
Studying and applying the teachings of Jesus, keeping the commandments, partaking of the Sacraments, developing virtue from good habits; in short, practicing Christianity is how we develop all virtues especially charity.
Through our faith and good works we avail ourselves of God's grace. Only by grace are we enabled to change and become better.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Developing virtue from good habits.
I'm glad you agree with TheGreatBout. :) Blessings to you and good night.@soy_esteban@xanga - I'm glad you agree with TheGreatBout.
Actually I couldn't disagree more! Here is a statement from the OP that only a Communist or terrible steward could love:
If we tell others that they can have, borrow, and use anything we possess freely (Psalm 112:5, Romans 12:13, Matthew 5:42) then we sever the chains that bind us to possessions and materialistic living.
The Scripture quotes advocate charity not the imprudence advocated by the OP. They say nothing about "severing the chains" or being bound to possessions.
Telling others that you are an easy mark is not Scriptural. It is not wise. In fact, it is destructive. Wisdom is how we learn to give properly. The only chains that need to be severed are the chains of ignorance. Likewise, one is bound to ignorance not anything material.
Who is G-D?
@SirNickDon@xanga - It's because I'm a communist. Commies love the Bible (almost as much as capitalists).
@TheGreatBout@xanga - LOL I just had to laugh at that. Too funny. :)
I do not believe that a particular economic system determines whether or not one can behave as a Christian in terms of the virtue of charity in particular or in terms of any Christian virtue in general. As such, I see a Christian labeling themselves in such terms (capitalist, socialist, communist) as a bit silly.
We need to charitable towards others and good stewards of that which God has given us regardless of what economic system is in place. Understanding that it is not us, but only God who has an exclusive and permanent right to the use of anything, should transcend both collectivist and capitalist notions of the significance of property and labor, influencing how we view our role in any economy regardless of its character.
This is not to say that we should not have opinions regarding the correct use of our property and labor as a society in both specific instances and on a systemic level, but that such concerns should always be secondary to living as Christ would have us live during this present time and its circumstances.
I think Jonathan Robinson of the Oratory, a Traditionalist Catholic priest, put it very well when he wrote, “To act in a Christian way is to act with a sense of personal responsibility. That is, faith is given to us so that we can behave as followers of Christ, not to regulate the affairs of those around us. It is of course the case that Christians have to take stands on public issues, but it must be clear that bigotry and dogmatism will be an ever-present danger and that our first battle is against the self we all carry about with us, the self that is constantly trying to pull us away from living in the charity of Christ.”
@Nous_Apeiron@xanga - I think you stated yourself very well and I agree with you.
@TheGreatBout@xanga - But...but...you can't agree with me. We're supposed to argue and make insulting comments about each other. That's how it works here. :)