All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37
“Eighth, obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech. “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt. 5:37). If you consent to do a task, do it. Avoid flattery and half-truths. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech. Reject jargon and abstract speculation whose purpose is to obscure and impress rather than to illuminate and inform. Plain speech is difficult because we so seldom live out of the divine center, so seldom respond only to heavenly promptings. Often fear of what others may think or a hundred other motives determine our “yes” or “no” rather than obedience to divine urgings. Then if a more attractive opportunity arises we quickly reverse our decision. But if our speech comes out of obedience to the divine center, we will find no reason to turn our “yes” into “no” and our “no” into “yes.” We will be living in simplicity of speech because our words will have only one Source.”
Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93-94.
Today brings us to practical point number eight of ten from Foster. Notice how simple life can be when we root our thinking, speaking, and practice in only one Source. But we overcomplicate things! We do.
I had a remarkable time seeing old friends and making new ones in South Carolina this past weekend.
We talked about the fact that Jesus spoke clearly about what to do with money and what not to do with it. We discussed how we ignore Jesus and rationalize disobedience. I used an illustration that comes from my devotional book, Steward.
Inspired by the statement of C.S. Lewis that Jesus is either Lord, a lunatic, or a liar. I said, that related to money, Jesus is either stupid, a socialist, or Savior. Of course, I land on Savior.
I explained that we ignore the teachings of Jesus on money as if He is stupid and we know better. Notice how “yes” (commitment to obey and follow Jesus) becomes “no” (we Americans know better than Jesus on money).
I continued that some wrongly see the voluntary sharing Jesus encourages us to practice as some form of socialism (so again, we Americans choose an entitlement and ownership mentality of all we possess instead of sharing as obedient stewards).
I finish by saying that Jesus is Savior, because His teachings aim not to rob us but help us. They point the way to life and literally save us from ourselves.
Anyway, if you want to live generously, don’t overcomplicate things. Chart your course with words from only one Source.