A Puritan preacher named Jeremiah Burroughs wrote, "Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction: seeking to add a thing will not bring contentment. Instead, subtracting from your desires until you are satisfied only with Christ brings contentment."
This goes along with what Paul wrote to Timothy: "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:5-7).
Consider these statements:
- Loss is gain
- Little is much
- Striving is losing
- Giving is receiving
- Dying to self is living fully
- Brokenness leads to fullness
- The simple things are the greatest things
- Addition is by subtraction
These ideas remind me of the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts," which was written by Joseph Brackett in 1848:
'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,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
The "valley of love and delight" is a good place to be. We get there, according to this hymn, through simple living.
Hans Hofmann wrote, "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
What is truly necessary in life? Jesus, who lived life in a simple way, said this: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42). That good part that cannot ever be taken away from us is building a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Therefore, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
This is living life fully in the simplicity of faith and trust.
