Check out the intro and part 1 of this series.
“A wealthy plantation owner invited John Wesley to his home. The two rode their horses all day, seeing just a fraction of all the man owned. At the end of the day, the plantation owner proudly asked, ‘Well, Mr. Wesley, what do you think?’ After a moment’s silence, Wesley replied, ‘I think you’re going to have a hard time leaving all this.”
~ Retold in Randy Alcorn’s, Money, Possessions & Eternity
The question is, are we living in such a way that this world or the next is our home? Where are my attachments? Am I accumulating assets for this life or the life to come?
Randy Alcorn says: “Materialism would dupe us into believing this world is center stage, the destination rather than the road to the destination.” We are pilgrims and strangers in this earth, why not live in such a way that this is conveyed to the world? 1 Peter 2:11 says, ‘I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.’ Peter says earlier, ‘since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverant fear’ (1 Peter 1:17).
The second reason we have chosen to live a simple lifestyle, is I believe it is an important way to prepare our family for the mission field, if the Lord calls us there. I want to hold my possessions, friendships, and family loosely, if the Lord would have us pick up and go. I want my children to be able to be content with little, because I don’t think we will have much on the field either. We will not have every popular toy or gagat. They will have to be creative in making up their own games and toys. Why not learn now how to exercise that innate gift of creativity that God gives to us. Living as pilgrims means I am not holding these things too tightly.
God may not call you to pick up and move to a new country, or a new job, or a new city, but we must be in the position to say yes if he does. Otherwise, we might miss out on His wonderful plans and purposes because we were so consumed and tied down to where we are.
“When we understand what home really is, money and things lose their glitter.” ~Randy Alcorn
“Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” ~C.S. Lewis
Where is your home?
These are good thoughts — I just recently wrote a blog post noting that the more stuff I have, the more attached to it I get. I went to an overseas mission field for a few years after college and didn't own much more than clothing and books — so it was pretty easy in that regard.
Dear Lindsay,
I’m currently learning this on my own life. We are missionaries and are in the process of moving to the field. I’m on the overwhelming process on deciding what to pack and what not to pack. I know that the less stuff I have the more easier every moving will be. Thanks for the pilgrim thought, because that is sooo true. We are pilgrims and need to keep our eyes on the eternal rather than the worldly.
you are an answer to my prayers because I prayed for something/someone who could tell me about one of the quotes you have posted: -live simply so you can simply live.
Thsnk you,
Andrea
Wonderful post.
This is a subject that has been on my heart lately. My husband and I have both felt a call to missions, though we don’t know in what capacity. I don’t tend to struggle with holding on to things, but I do struggle with my attachment to my family. I have a hard enough time living 10 hours away, let alone in another country. However, God has been helping me there. It’s never easy to say goodbye when we leave after a visit, but it is hurting less every time. I believe He is preparing me for something later, whether it be going overseas or simply not moving back home. He is always taking care of us, isn’t He?
Take care!
These are good thoughts — I just recently wrote a blog post noting that the more stuff I have, the more attached to it I get. I went to an overseas mission field for a few years after college and didn’t own much more than clothing and books — so it was pretty easy in that regard.
Beautiful thoughts Lindsay