Solomon’s Guide to the Simple Life

Solomon’s Guide to the Simple Life

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The Word of God has much to say about simple living, which is, in reality, humbling ourselves before God and accepting that He treasures us and desires that we walk in His abundance.  

The root of simplicity is wisdom.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).  In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom that he might have the understanding to govern Israel.  When Solomon walked with the Lord, his kingdom become flourished.  However, when he made unwise decisions and alliances, the kingdom faltered and became divided upon his death.

In his later years, Solomon shared his thoughts on the results of pursuing worldly knowledge while ignoring Godly wisdom.   In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes his divergent journey into secularism and back again to the wisdom, the simplicity, of walking with the Lord. He recounts his accomplishments, his scholarship, and his pursuit of pleasure.  His conclusion is that worldliness is vanity. 

Joy in life comes from accepting that God has plans and purposes that we cannot always understand and should not try to explain.  The simple life comes from accepting that our times are in His hands and that what He ordains will last.

During the tempestuous ‘60’s, many declared “God is dead,” but listened to and sang along with The Byrds’ rendition of “Turn, Turn, Turn” not knowing that the words come directly from Ecclesiastes 3:

“To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace.”

We stopped singing too soon.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 promises “He has made all things beautiful in their time.”

God has directed seasons and times.  Our times are in His hands.  May we pray as David did, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NLT).  That is the simple life.

In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon concludes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”.

The apostle James encourages believers to be like Solomon and ask the Lord for wisdom.  James 1: 5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Wisdom says that when we trust God, we will accept that His commandments are simply to lead us into an abundant life in Jesus Christ.  It is a new year, a new season, and a new time.  It is time to turn, turn, turn.

It’s a Gift to Be Simple

It’s a Gift to Be Simple

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As I prayed for revelation as the new year began, I sensed the Lord’s heart in calling us to be simple, plain speaking and versatile. 

We have come through a tumultuous, tempestuous year that grew in an atmosphere of convoluted thinking, meaningless political verbosity and, for many, an inability to move from old, crusty, rusty fearful mindsets into the redeeming message of hope that comes from trusting in our heavenly Father rather than politics, political structures and politicians.  

The Word of God has much to say about simple living, which is, in reality, humbling ourselves before God and accepting that He treasures us and desires that we walk in His abundance.

I often enjoy reading the Message Bible.  Although it lacks the poetic beauty of other translations it is “plain speaking.”  The following verses outline the simple life.

Proverbs 13: 7-8 (Message Bible):   “A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life. The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.”  

The desire to be acknowledged for what we have and what we do will lead us into a slippery slope of never having enough to bring peace and assurance into our lives.  Our chasing after affluence and popularity can bring all those things that money and power can buy, but leave us spiritually, emotionally, and morally bankrupt. 

Proverbs 13:9: “The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.”

Walking in the will of the Lord protects us from scandal, gossip, and dark secrets.  To live simply, we must walk according to the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:23-23:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” 

Proverbs 13:10:  “Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.”

Only God is omniscient.  He is never arrogant in His omniscience.  His grace, mercy and love spring forth from His omniscience.

Proverbs 13:13: “Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich.” 

Riches are more than finances.  Riches in the Lord include His deliverance, healing, comfort and hope. 

Proverbs 13:14:  “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!” 

The Word of God must be our plumb line for discerning truth.  We must not accept the lie of the enemy that the Word is not relevant for today.  God is the same yesterday, today and forever more.  The Ten Commandments are as wise today as they were when Moses brought them down from Mt. Sinai.  The Beatitudes are prudent words for all the ages.  Truth is truth because it transcends ages and cultures.

Proverbs 13:15-16 “Sound thinking makes for gracious living, but liars walk a rough road.  A commonsense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.”

Liars and fools live difficult, ridiculous lives.  That is why it is sin to lie and to revel in foolishness.

Proverbs 13:17:  “Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.”

Those are wise words for the coffee shop crowds.

I love the old Shaker song “Simple Gifts” by Joseph Brackett.

“'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 
When true simplicity is gain'd, 
 To bow and to bend we won't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight, 
  Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.”

Removing the sinful complications of our lives allows us to walk in freedom, to feel at home in our own skin, to bloom where we are planted and to walk out of the clichés of  the ordinary.