Selwyn’s introduction, pretty much covers today’s topic.

“Wherever I travel in the world I find that many Christians are being drawn towards a simpler, less complicated lifestyle. Is this a tug of the Holy Spirit, I wonder? Can it be that in a sophisticated age such as the Spirit of God is prodding His people to show the world that life can be lived to the full and still be simple?”

In the western world, and now in China;  and, to a certain extent in India - the middle classes have sufficient wealth to accumulate stuff. In addition, there is an increased availability of information, but more and more of this material is about trivial issues focused on celebrities and the like. In one sense, we are being deluged by superfluous things and shallow information; which, in my mind is adding complexity to our lives, for little or no benefit. Perhaps it is time to seek a less complicated lifestyle.

Matthew 18:1-5 (NIV): “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’

Jesus called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. … ‘ ”

Selwyn refers to these verses to support the call to lead a simpler life; in a way they do – but they have more to do with taking a lowly position – to practise humility.

Your view?