1 Timothy 6:6-12
1. What Shall We Speak About
1.1 Simplicity (Modesty)
We understand simplicity as a virtue, the word has a positive connotation. A person with simplicity is unassuming, undemanding or with few demands (and these qualities at least to certain degree come from a measure of humility).
1.2. Material
We should be demanding in spiritual, intellectual and shortly non-material matters (1 Corinthians 14:1, Jews 11:16). Material modesty, experienced in the context of finality of one�s life and resources and respect for life, is connected with the understanding of the meaning and the value of life.
1.3 Voluntary
Some may say that �voluntary� and �simplicity� are pleonasms � if simplicity/modesty is not lived voluntarily, can it still be called so? It depends on our understanding of the word �simplicity� or �modesty�
Involuntary modesty may concern a man in need:
- if he accepts his difficult situation, he becomes involuntarily modest
- if he lives off of his surroundings, his neighbors, he is not modest and remains in need
2. Voluntary Material Simplicity as Contribution to the Entire Creation
2.1 Meaning
- be in control of one�s actions (spiritual training)
- create space for sharing with others (charitable donations, sponsoring)
- refrain from overusing natural resources (see 2.2), in other words reduce consumption
- lack of simplicity, expressed in growing desire and striving for material goods, may become a cult, which goes against the 1st commandment
- simplicity is the way to sustainability
Simplicity brings enrichment to our lives.
2.2 Indicators of Natural Resources Overuse
- ecological footprint
- natural resources consumption, especially energy
(difficulty determining the resources needed for producing majority of products)
- amount of waste and the capacity for its reuse and recycling, as well as the waste byproducts of the production process (emissions)
2.3 Level of Consumption
In practical terms, it is expressed in the amount of money spent. The relationship between monetary and natural indicators of consumption is not well defined. Cheap goods usually do not last long, ecologically favorable goods tend to be more expensive.
Key problem situations:
- Should we buy ecologically friendly but more expensive goods and the resulting savings give to charity, sponsoring or for direct ecological projects?
- When to replace products with their environmentally friendly alternatives? Replacement often means shortening the life-span of the original product, which becomes waste. Such replacement in itself is not a sign of simplicity.
2.4 Rational Simplicity
God provided humans with intellect, the ability to think, and with it also the freedom of choice. The well known commandment to love (Luke 10:27) reminds us, that love of God must make use also of our mind and our strength. One�s love for God is thus expressed also in one�s life style and in the decisions made in specific situations.
The benefit in rational thinking is often expressed in monetary terms. However, prices are deformed as they do not reflect the destruction of natural resources caused by production and consumption and others. The deformed prices are mainly due to:
- unreasonably taxed labor
- exclusion of externalities (ex. toxic emissions destroying nature and human health)
- meaningless subsidies
Faith is the source of strength. It should give us strength to resist advertising and the influence of our surroundings (fashion for new clothes, travel abroad) and to realize that we do not need something.
A modest person may make many mistakes in his relationship to the creation, however his life as a whole, his actions are better for the creation than a person who lacks simplicity, although he may be in some specific instances trying to make decisions favorable to nature.
2.5 Simplicity as a Life Style
So far, we have talked about simplicity as an individual life style. But a community (such as a religious one) can also lead a life style of simplicity. In fact, for God�s creation, simplicity of a community as a whole is desirable, which is however incompatible with the capitalist paradigm.
Modest community may seem utopian. However, as Christians, we believe that God acts in our lives and that he cares for his creation.
Changes should come from individuals, not from the system itself. However, it is important to keep in mind that �sustainability� is incompatible with capitalism.
Simplicity leads to the harmony with the entire creation.
Pagan gods of today:
� Mammon
� GDP and its growth
� Consumerism
� Interest