“Simplicity is the first cousin of contentment. It’s motto is: We brought nothing into this world, and we can certainly carry nothing out. It recognizes that we are pilgrims. It concentrates us on what we need, and measures this by what we use. It rejoices in the good things of creation, but hates waste and greed and clutter. It knows how easily the seed of the Word is smothered by the ‘cares and riches of this life.’ It wants to be free of distractions, in order to love and serve God and others.”
John Stott (1921-) English Christian leader and Anglican clergyman in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, 148. Cf. 1 Timothy 6:7 and Luke 8:14.