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.