What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
“All Christians should therefore sense an urgency to serving the Lord, caused by the uncertainty of the time of the end, after which point it will no longer be possible to win any more people to Christ or to disciple them to maturity. Paul is well aware that distractions of marriage may temper this urgency. So those who choose to web must not become so preoccupied with their families that they can no longer effectively serve Christ (v. 29b). The same is true with other normal human activities–celebrations and wakes, commerce and shopping (vv. 30-31). All are legitimate endeavors, but all remain fleeting. The Christian should therefore be less involved in the affairs of this world than the non-Christian. The balance Paul seeks to achieve leads one writer to label him a “worldly ascetic.”
Craig Blomberg in 1 Corinthians (NIV Application Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994) 152. Blomberg credits Vincent Wimbish for coining the term “worldly ascetic” linked to the Apostle Paul.
People ask me how simplicity, detachment, and generosity look in the context of marriage. Thankfully Paul addresses that here, as does Blomberg with these comments, at least by saying essentially that marriage commitments should not hinder missional engagement. Likewise, possessions may be used, but they must not be things with which we are engrossed.
The label “worldly ascetic” is a creative one. Paul calls the Corinthians (and other believers like us) to a lifestyle that avoids self-indulgence, specifically pertaining to the things of this world (cf. Galatians 5:13-14) while enjoying marriage and using things. The balance he seeks for them (and us) is maintaining a missional focus in our relationships and stewardship of stuff.