The First Outward Discipline – Simplicity

Richard Foster’s survey of spiritual disciplines moves from the inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting and study to what he calls the outward disciplines.  These are disciplines that have an outward impact on our lifestyles – simplicity, solitude, submission and service.

The discipline of simplicity is really about putting first things first. Simplicity means truly taking to heart Jesus’ teaching:  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

To achieve this freedom from anxiety we need to adopt three inner attitudes in our trust and reliance on God.  We need to acknowledge that

all the things we have we received as a gift,

that what we have will be cared for by God, and

to make what we have available to others. 

When we adopt these attitudes, then we will possess freedom from anxiety and worry about things. 

This is the inward reality of simplicity.

And this inward reality is then lived out in the world.  Foster suggests 10 principles to help guide us, but not bind us, in the discipline of simplicity: 

1.  Buy things for their usefulness rather than for their status. Do you really need designer jeans?

2.  Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.  Do you really need to have a Coke every day?

3. Develop a habit of giving things away.  (Convicted!  I’ll work on cleaning out my closet today!)

4. You really don’t need the latest…..be it a phone, TV, toy or whatever.

5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.  Use the library….

6. Develop an appreciation for the creation.  Walk whenever you can.

7.  Look with skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” offers….and Foster wrote this long before our recent financial meltdown!

8.  Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech.  Make your yes, yes and your no, no and keep your promises.

9.  Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.  Are you buying things produced by people under slavery-like conditions?  Do you think there are chores around the house that are beneath you?  

10.  Shun anything that distracts you from seeking God’s kingdom first.  There are many good things to do in this life, but we are challenged everyday to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.