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Simplicity Frugality Sacrifice Secrecy

This document discusses four spiritual disciplines: simplicity, frugality, sacrifice, and secrecy. Simplicity involves doing less, focusing on a few key purposes rather than overcommitting to many activities. Frugality means enjoying possessions without being controlled by them and avoiding frivolous consumption. Sacrifice requires forsaking security in material things and trusting God by giving up what is necessary. Secrecy abstains from seeking praise for good deeds and places one's reputation in God's hands alone. Practicing these disciplines can help overcome approval addictions and attachments to things in order to love and serve God wholeheartedly.

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Abigail Bignott
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120 views23 pages

Simplicity Frugality Sacrifice Secrecy

This document discusses four spiritual disciplines: simplicity, frugality, sacrifice, and secrecy. Simplicity involves doing less, focusing on a few key purposes rather than overcommitting to many activities. Frugality means enjoying possessions without being controlled by them and avoiding frivolous consumption. Sacrifice requires forsaking security in material things and trusting God by giving up what is necessary. Secrecy abstains from seeking praise for good deeds and places one's reputation in God's hands alone. Practicing these disciplines can help overcome approval addictions and attachments to things in order to love and serve God wholeheartedly.

Uploaded by

Abigail Bignott
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SIMPLICITY, FRUGALITY,

SACRIFICE & SECRECY

SIMPLICITY

Painting the Picture


For many of us, if we are honest, we often
overextend and over commit ourselves. We
have a hand in many different areas at the
same time. Consider these descriptions and see
if they apply to you:

We are in almost every ministry at church because we

feel we know how to do it all; we believe that this


proves our level of commitment; or we believe that
everyone will look up to us and think we are very
committed
We decide to further our studies so that we can be in
the group with a certain level of education
Always desiring to climb the corporate ladder; to be
awarded the accolades this is what we work
towards; this is our goal
We work for the applause and favour of men

Definition of Simplicity
If the previous description describes you,
then the practice of Simplicity is one spiritual
discipline that can help you reorder your life.
The statements below help to give a
definition of Simplicity:
In simplicity I do less; I shed some of the activities
It is the arrangement of my life around a few

simple purposes
Abstaining from saying yes to too many things
and from over packed schedules so I can keep the
main thing the main thing
I give up competing purposes and personal
accomplishments that I think complete me.
I detach from dependence upon much activity and
attach to the one needed thing.

Scriptures on Simplicity
There are a number of verses in Scripture
which speak to the principle of simplicity.
Take the following for example. What
principles of Simplicity can be seen in these
verses?
Philippians 3:13
Matthew 6:33
Luke 10:38-42

Practical Steps to Simplicity


- Luke 10:38-42
Trust that God cares (v. 40)
Recognize what distracts me (v. 40)
Sit at the Lords feet and listen to what He says

(v. 39)
Recognize the many things that I am worried
and upset about (v. 41)
Keep the main thing the main thing (v.42)
Find your niche (SHAPE Spiritual gifts, Heart;

Abilities; Personality; Experience)


Know what your personal mission is
Learn to say No
Accept the consequences of saying no

FRUGALITY

Painting the Picture


The spiritual discipline of Frugality is another
discipline that as believers we will find very useful;
especially in todays society and culture where
physical possession is held in such high regard, even
among the church. The description below of the
situation as it presently exists for many believers
helps us to appreciate the need for this discipline.
Persons have a negative net worth - you may have a
lot but you owe a lot too
We have multiple credit cards and constantly buy on
credit clothes, furniture, appliances, car, vacation,
etc.
We buy multiple of everything and of course bigger
is better bigger house, bigger TV, bigger car
We buy the latest gadget even when it is not needed
or we will never use the features

Painting the Picture


Contd

Its all about keeping up with the Jones


The more money we have the more we

accumulate
Robert Kiyosaki author of the book Rich Dad,
Poor Dad says, It is perfectly normal to desire
something better, prettier, more fun or exciting.
So peoplework for money because of desires.
They desire money for the joy they think it can
buy. But the joy that money brings is often short
lived, and they soon need more money for more
joy, more pleasure, more comfort, more
security. So they keep working thinking money
will soothe their souls that are troubled by fear
and desire. But money cannot do that.

Definition of Frugality
So what is frugality. Robert Kellemen describes it
as the following:
Enjoying without clutching
Abstaining from using money or goods at our

disposal in ways that merely gratify our desires or


our hunger for status, glamour, luxury or worldly
contentment
Avoidance of frivolous consumption: the love of
money, the love of things idolatry of possessions
Giving up things that possess me
Detaching from dependence upon things and
attaching to the Kingdom of God

Definition of Frugality
Contd

Richard Foster gives this warning when it

comes to frugality:
Be careful to find a balance not the

mammon spirit but not asceticism either


Foster, p. 84-85

Scriptures on Frugality
Take the time to review the passages
below. What are some of the principles that
can be taken from these passages and how
can you practically apply it to your life?
Matthew 6:19-34
1 Timothy 6:17-19
James 1:9-10
Matthew 13:22
Luke 18:22
Luke 16:13
Philippians 4:12

Practical Steps to Frugality


Fosters 10 Suggestions
The inward reality must be accompanied by the outward
reality
Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status
Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
Develop a habit of giving things away de-accumulate
Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry
Learn to enjoy things without owning them
Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation
Look with a healthy skepticism at all buy now, pay later schemes
Obey Jesus instruction about plain, honest speechavoid flattery

and half-truths
Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others
Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of
God

Foster, Richard, 1998, Celebration of


Discipline: A Path to Spiritual Growth, Harper
San Francisco

Benefits of Frugality
Reorients our lives so that possessions can be

genuinely enjoyed without destroying us.


Sets us free to receive Gods provision as a gift
that is not ours to keep and can be freely shared
Provides spiritual perspective.
Challenges our vested interest in an affluent
lifestyle.
Produces a joyful unconcern about things
because of a steady trust in Gods generosity.
Promotes freedom from anxiety because what
we have is from God as a gift that he cares for
and that is available to others.
Kellemen, Robert, 2003, Personal Counselling
and Discipleship-Class, Capital Bible Seminary,
MD Notes

SACRIFICE

Definition of Sacrifice
The discipline of Sacrifice is another discipline
that is integral to the life of any believer, as it
was the hallmark of the life of Christ.
In the discipline of sacrifice, we abstain from
the possession or enjoyment of what is
necessary for our living not as in frugality,
from what is really to some degree
superfluous anyway (Dallas Willard, 1988,
The Spirit of the Disciplines, 174)
Forsaking the security of meeting our needs
with what is in our hands

The Purpose of Sacrifice


Take the time to examine these verses in
order to get a better understanding of the
purposes of this discipline.
To trust God Luke 21:2-4; Hebrew 11:1719
To love others John 3:16
To subdue the flesh 1 Corinthians 9

The Practice of Sacrifice


Here are some practical ways in which we
can practice the discipline of Sacrifice on a
daily basis.
Give time that you dont have
Give money that you cant do without
Feed your enemy
Release yourself to God by praying
Giving up your rights

SECRECY

Definition of Secrecy
In the discipline of secrecy we abstain

from causing our good deeds and


qualities to be known
Hidden service
In the practice of secrecy we experience
a continuing relationship with God
independent of the opinions of others
Living for an audience of one
Placing our public relations department
entirely in the hands of God

The Purpose of Secrecy


Overcoming approval addictions
To help us lose or tame our hunger for fame,

justification, approval, or the mere attention of others


I need you to think highly of me

Teaches us love and humility before God

and others
Seeing others in the best possible light
Even hoping that they do better than us

To increase our faith in God


Trusting God to work on our behalf without saying

anything to anyone

The Practice of Secrecy


Holding our tongue neither defending nor

bragging
Giving anonymously
Serving behind the scenes when no one
sees
Giving credit to others
Praying and fasting for others

Lets Talk
This week we took a brief look at four
disciplines. It may all seem
overwhelming or maybe there are some
issues that you have not really grasped.
A forum is available for any questions
you may have or comments you may
want to make on any of these four
disciplines.

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