Day 2117 – Becoming A Radical Disciple 4 – Living a Simple and Balanced Life – Daily Wisdom

Welcome to Day 2117 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 4 – Living a Simple and Balanced Life – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/22/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Living A Simple and Balanced Life My purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously.  In the past three weeks, we have explored Nonconformity, Christlikeness Maturity, and Creation Care.   Living a Simple Life   I suggest that the fifth characteristic of radical disciples is simplicity, especially regarding money and possessions.  As Christians, citizens of God’s kingdom, we claim to have received a new life from Jesus Christ. What lifestyle, then, is appropriate for us?  In particular, how are our lives to be distinguished from the lifestyle of those who make no Christian profession?  How should our lifestyle reflect the challenges of the present-day world?   Much of the world is alienated from God.  Most people, especially in affluent countries, view the earth’s resources differently, as if they own them. That is not the truth, for God has created the world for the enjoyment of all.   We live in a country where it is a dog-eat-dog world. We buy things we don’t need to show off to people we don’t like.  The old saying goes, ‘we have to keep up with the Joneses.’ So our garages or attics overflow with stuff we rarely use, and then we have to spend more on storage units for the overflow. Then, when we die, we leave it all to our children and grandchildren, so they have to sort through it all and give most of it away, or worse, have to throw it out because it is no longer useful, if it ever was.   All of us should be shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices. The country of Haiti is a perfect example, as are many emerging nations.  Yet, most of the time, we feel somewhat helpless about how to help effectively. Yet few of us desire to give up anything substantial to help.   There is nothing wrong with, nor should we ever envy, a person who, as a believer, has abundant resources by God’s grace. It boils down to that familiar verse we also covered in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.   As citizens of a kingdom, we have a higher calling.  Those who live in affluent circumstances, including most Western cultures, must accept our responsibility to develop a more simplistic lifestyle and contribute generously to relief and evangelism.   Of course, living a simple life requires prayerful wisdom, insight, and understanding.  God expects us to be prudent with the resources he has given us to manage.  God permits a few people to be abundantly wealthy, but their treasures must be stored up in heaven so they can effectively help others in need.   Since we are only managers of all God has given us, our purpose today is to consider our responsibility in becoming a radical disciple and how that is connected to living a simple and balanced life. Of course, there are many advantages to living a simple life, but let’s look at some essential aspects.  ...