Be Simply: Do Not Worry: Matthew 6:25-34

[sealchan]

The Simplicity movement, as I have read and made some efforts to pursue, offers to significantly reduce stress. Not just from the management of all our stuff but also, and primarily, from the illusion of stuff as what makes us happy. If we spend time playing with basic toys which require our own imagination to make them come alive we can enter a realm where our creative imagination soothes us. Having fewer toys means we children go deeper into themselves to find their play even as they engage in the physical realm.

Time is also a luxury we can't afford to live without. If we don't have time to play, to do...whatever, we are in danger of losing ourselves, of feeding addictions and otherwise taking out our lack of fulfillment on others.

Being poor in spirit fits in naturally here. If we understand Jesus' teachings on a psychological level we can begin to see that what he is offering is of direct benefit whether we believe in him or not.

 

[2ndpillar]

The Simplicity movement, as I have read and made some efforts to pursue, offers to significantly reduce stress. Not just from the management of all our stuff but also, and primarily, from the illusion of stuff as what makes us happy. If we spend time playing with basic toys which require our own imagination to make them come alive we can enter a realm where our creative imagination soothes us. Having fewer toys means we children go deeper into themselves to find their play even as they engage in the physical realm.

Time is also a luxury we can't afford to live without. If we don't have time to play, to do...whatever, we are in danger of losing ourselves, of feeding addictions and otherwise taking out our lack of fulfillment on others.

Being poor in spirit fits in naturally here. If we understand Jesus' teachings on a psychological level we can begin to see that what he is offering is of direct benefit whether we believe in him or not.

The kings of your simplicity movement would be the homeless. All they own can go into a grocery cart, or the back of a car. Not that they can afford to run the car, but until it is broken into, they have a safe place for their blankets. They still have plenty of time to worry about the cold and rain, and getting something to eat and drink.

 

[sealchan]

The kings of your simplicity movement would be the homeless. All they own can go into a grocery cart, or the back of a car. Not that they can afford to run the car, but until it is broken into, they have a safe place for their blankets. They still have plenty of time to worry about the cold and rain, and getting something to eat and drink.

Not really. I think that they have their basic needs to worry about, health, warmth, etc. And this gives them plenty to worry about. Although they might also gain the most from a faith that God will provide (or those individuals or government agencies that see fit to provide). I think that this makes the most sense when someone could choose to get lost in material possessions but exercises the wisdom not to.

Then with that excess wealth, they can facilitate God's will for those you mention.

 

[2ndpillar]

Not really. I think that they have their basic needs to worry about, health, warmth, etc. And this gives them plenty to worry about. Although they might also gain the most from a faith that God will provide (or those individuals or government agencies that see fit to provide). I think that this makes the most sense when someone could choose to get lost in material possessions but exercises the wisdom not to.

Then with that excess wealth, they can facilitate God's will for those you mention.

I don't think comparing the "kingdom of heaven" with the head of the beast, the government agencies, is the road which Yeshua was preaching. I would dare say, that was the opposite of what he was preaching. You will find the address of the head of the beast in the phone book. The address of the kingdom of heaven isn't found in the phone book.

 

[sealchan]

I don't think comparing the "kingdom of heaven" with the head of the beast, the government agencies, is the road which Yeshua was preaching. I would dare say, that was the opposite of what he was preaching. You will find the address of the head of the beast in the phone book. The address of the kingdom of heaven isn't found in the phone book.

I believe the kingdom of heaven is where you find it. It could be in a homeless shelter or in a hard choice upheld by the Holy Spirit.

 

[sealchan]

My last thought on this is that by not worrying does one withdraw from a sphere of influence where one might otherwise profit one's self and others with the recognition of a need that is not being met?

In Jesus' day, there were few who could voice their concerns and be heard by anyone who was in any way compelled to listen. Today, in a democracy there is some sense in which each of us is a valid voice (expresses dharma?) with some more or less equivalent power to effect change. It may be that today's world exceeds the scope of Jesus' teaching here and it does not readily apply to a society where speaking up and looking out for the needs of others and ensuring that no one is left behind is a sort of worrying that will result in results. To use Jesus' words here it may actually add "an hour to your life" if you do so.

Then again, is this merely pursuing the kingdom and righteousness which, in turn, helps to ensure that things are as they should be and that others will be provided for?

How politically active can one be and still be understood in the light of this scripture?

 

[sealchan]

I don't think comparing the "kingdom of heaven" with the head of the beast, the government agencies, is the road which Yeshua was preaching. I would dare say, that was the opposite of what he was preaching. You will find the address of the head of the beast in the phone book. The address of the kingdom of heaven isn't found in the phone book.

Equating government agencies with Satan is an over-reach. Those government agencies today are supported by the people, approved or disapproved by the people and otherwise employ those same people. If the people can exercise control over their government then those agencies should reflect the will and the needs of the people.