Chapter 17 - The Simplicity of the Carefree Life
Bonhoeffer- 'Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable. Anxiety creates its own treasures and in turn beget further care. When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care, and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations. The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves.'
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Take no thought for your life.
That says is all doesn't it?
Truly when Bonhoeffer writes- 'Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can prove security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time THEY are the VERY SOURCE of ALL ANXIETY.', he speaks the truth!
Which of us doesn't believe that if we only had more money, if we only could win that high stake lottery that would guarantee us financial security for the rest of our lives, that everything would be so much BETTER.
Yet how many people find out more money brings more worries.
I know what you're thinking- the same thing I am- let me have those worries, just let me have more money.
We've been raised to believe that money is the answer, that possessions are the answer. That somehow we've truly succeeded in life if we've managed to acquire things. That the homeless vagrant has failed in life. Isn't that what we believe? Success and failure is based upon lifestyle, the better the lifestyle the better you've succeeded, and the happier you should be, the less worry you should have.
That's Satan's view of success, that's the WORLD'S view of success, NOT GOD'S!
The simpler our lives, the less cluttered with things, the less complicated our lives are, this is what success is, a simple life spent in CHRIST, following HIS ways, HIS commands, HIS truth. And His truth tells us the only REAL treasures we should possess are those we can put in in HEAVEN.
We obviously then should TREASURE one another, yes? Not idolize in the least way, but treasure each other knowing that each of us by the grace of God have the opportunity to be in heaven with Christ.
The richest person alive is the one who has all their treasure in HEAVEN! This is Christ's truth!
Is it any wonder so few will be Christ's? People are living for earthly treasures and they make the excuse that God would want them to have "things", worldly things. God wants them to have a house, a car, a television, a computer, a smart phone, a closet full of clothes, a fridge full of food, cupboards well stocked, a pantry overflowing, entertainment, relaxation, ease. God wants them to have all these things because He wants them to be content, to be happy, to be pleased.
So tell me, does that mean that God doesn't want all those living in horrific poverty to have any of those things? Their lives are what? And it's not just a matter of working hard enough to get these things. This is a materialistic societies view and that view seeps out into the poverty stricken regions and poisons them into believing that the "American Dream", the "Super Power Countries Dreams", are what is desired more than anything else. Those living in poverty are taught that their possession-less lives are lives that are to be despised.
Truthfully they are living lives more like Christ's than the millions who have houses filled with "things". They are living lives more like Christ's than those who have been raised to believe that hard work, blood, sweat, and tears are things to work your way out of until you are living in ease.
This world is so incredibly twisted and disgusting! This world truly is something to be HATED, not embraced and loved.
1Jn_2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Love NOT the world!
Love NEITHER the things that are in the world!
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him!
Satan has laid claim to this world.
When Satan offered Jesus the world-
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Satan did that, Satan offered them all to Jesus because they belong to HIM! This world is Satan's and will be His until He is destroyed.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…
The devil isn't in charge of some mysterious fiery hell where people are being tortured endlessly. The devil WILL be cast into the lake of FIRE and BRIMSTONE, he will be utterly DESTROYED!
Mal_4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Nothing left, no evil left!
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you
We look for a NEW heavens and a NEW earth wherein dwells RIGHTEOUSNESS!
This sin sick, Satan poisoned world will be gone!
*******
Our anxiousness over life stems from desiring things, it stems from the CARES of THIS LIFE as if THIS LIFE is all there really is.
The next time we become anxious we truly do have to ask ourselves what world we are LIVING FOR.
Even if it means we are suffering some grave illness and can't afford treatment for it, and we want to justify our anxiousness because we believe this is something we must have and God would give it to us if He really cared and loved us. God's love is UNCEASING! Trusting in HIM to provide, even if it means our life here is far from what we've been taught is our right to possess. Trusting in HIM even if to all outside appearances God despises us. Trusting in HIM even unto our own deaths.
Php_1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Php 4:6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and by petition with thanksgivings, let your requests be made known to God;
Php 4:7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (LITV)
By His mercy and grace, His love and His righteousness always! In our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior!
Amen.
Bonhoeffer- 'Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable. Anxiety creates its own treasures and in turn beget further care. When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care, and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations. The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves.'
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Take no thought for your life.
That says is all doesn't it?
Truly when Bonhoeffer writes- 'Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can prove security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time THEY are the VERY SOURCE of ALL ANXIETY.', he speaks the truth!
Which of us doesn't believe that if we only had more money, if we only could win that high stake lottery that would guarantee us financial security for the rest of our lives, that everything would be so much BETTER.
Yet how many people find out more money brings more worries.
I know what you're thinking- the same thing I am- let me have those worries, just let me have more money.
We've been raised to believe that money is the answer, that possessions are the answer. That somehow we've truly succeeded in life if we've managed to acquire things. That the homeless vagrant has failed in life. Isn't that what we believe? Success and failure is based upon lifestyle, the better the lifestyle the better you've succeeded, and the happier you should be, the less worry you should have.
That's Satan's view of success, that's the WORLD'S view of success, NOT GOD'S!
The simpler our lives, the less cluttered with things, the less complicated our lives are, this is what success is, a simple life spent in CHRIST, following HIS ways, HIS commands, HIS truth. And His truth tells us the only REAL treasures we should possess are those we can put in in HEAVEN.
We obviously then should TREASURE one another, yes? Not idolize in the least way, but treasure each other knowing that each of us by the grace of God have the opportunity to be in heaven with Christ.
The richest person alive is the one who has all their treasure in HEAVEN! This is Christ's truth!
Is it any wonder so few will be Christ's? People are living for earthly treasures and they make the excuse that God would want them to have "things", worldly things. God wants them to have a house, a car, a television, a computer, a smart phone, a closet full of clothes, a fridge full of food, cupboards well stocked, a pantry overflowing, entertainment, relaxation, ease. God wants them to have all these things because He wants them to be content, to be happy, to be pleased.
So tell me, does that mean that God doesn't want all those living in horrific poverty to have any of those things? Their lives are what? And it's not just a matter of working hard enough to get these things. This is a materialistic societies view and that view seeps out into the poverty stricken regions and poisons them into believing that the "American Dream", the "Super Power Countries Dreams", are what is desired more than anything else. Those living in poverty are taught that their possession-less lives are lives that are to be despised.
Truthfully they are living lives more like Christ's than the millions who have houses filled with "things". They are living lives more like Christ's than those who have been raised to believe that hard work, blood, sweat, and tears are things to work your way out of until you are living in ease.
This world is so incredibly twisted and disgusting! This world truly is something to be HATED, not embraced and loved.
1Jn_2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Love NOT the world!
Love NEITHER the things that are in the world!
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him!
Satan has laid claim to this world.
When Satan offered Jesus the world-
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Satan did that, Satan offered them all to Jesus because they belong to HIM! This world is Satan's and will be His until He is destroyed.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…
The devil isn't in charge of some mysterious fiery hell where people are being tortured endlessly. The devil WILL be cast into the lake of FIRE and BRIMSTONE, he will be utterly DESTROYED!
Mal_4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Nothing left, no evil left!
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you
We look for a NEW heavens and a NEW earth wherein dwells RIGHTEOUSNESS!
This sin sick, Satan poisoned world will be gone!
*******
Our anxiousness over life stems from desiring things, it stems from the CARES of THIS LIFE as if THIS LIFE is all there really is.
The next time we become anxious we truly do have to ask ourselves what world we are LIVING FOR.
Even if it means we are suffering some grave illness and can't afford treatment for it, and we want to justify our anxiousness because we believe this is something we must have and God would give it to us if He really cared and loved us. God's love is UNCEASING! Trusting in HIM to provide, even if it means our life here is far from what we've been taught is our right to possess. Trusting in HIM even if to all outside appearances God despises us. Trusting in HIM even unto our own deaths.
Php_1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Php 4:6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and by petition with thanksgivings, let your requests be made known to God;
Php 4:7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (LITV)
By His mercy and grace, His love and His righteousness always! In our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior!
Amen.
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