Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Living simply is of itself a work of art; it is beautiful. Life lived with intentional simplicity radiates calm and order, so even if accomplished for no more than its own sake, it would still be a balm, a salve, to our frantic stressed, over-pressured society. But Gospel simplicity is not for its own sake, but is a way of worship and service.

The purpose of Gospel simplicity is to create the space necessary for us to obey the call of Christ: ‘follow me’. Following Jesus is not just a matter of acquiescence to doctrines, but implies an active transformation of our lives: that is to say, it is not only something we believe (though it starts with that), but also something we do because of what we believe.”

Penelope Wilcock, In Celebration of Simplicity (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009) 24.

The more we take the less we become, or as an unknown author once said, “He who buys what he does not need, steals from himself.”

George Elerick, Jesus Bootlegged (Hants, UK: O-Books, 2011) 29-30.

“The Lord encouraged an unencumbered life so His followers where free to focus on eternal life. Christ keeps it simple because He knows we are easily distracted and can drift into complex schemes that suck the life out of opportunities to give life…

Status, stuff, society, sin and self all move toward making matters more complex than is necessary in the Kingdom of God. The motto of earnest simplicity is ‘less is more’ because God has freely given to us, we are free to freely give to others. Avoid sin’s complexity so you are available to bless others with pure joy…

An unencumbered life is not isolated from society, but it is free from culture’s control. A life with margin does not seek status, but it does use success as a platform to care for the unfortunate in Jesus’ name. Enjoy your season of simplicity as a window for the sunbeams of the Son’s love to shine through your soul. Simplicity points to your Savior!”

Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God. Hebrews 12:2-3, The Message

Boyd Bailey, excerpt from Wisdom Hunters daily e-devotional December 10, 2013.

1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than for their status.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
4. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
5. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.

Richard Foster in A Celebration of Discipline as recounted by Penelope Wilcock, In Celebration of Simplicity (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009) 18.

“The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have, the more free you are. Poverty for us is freedom.”

Mother Teresa as recounted by Penelope Wilcock, In Celebration of Simplicity (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009) 12.

“Let your only debt that is unpaid be that of love–a debt which you should always be attempting to discharge in full, but will never succeed in discharging. [cf. Romans 13:8-10]”

Origen of Alexandria (182-254), Christian theologian and Church Father, as recounted by Douglas J. Moo in Romans, NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000) 433.

“The word ‘epiphany’ means ‘to show forth’. Epiphanies, both large and small, tend to be private events–yet events with great significance for the public. Trying to share the details with another of an epiphany is fraught with complications. The words are never quite right, and even the most sympathetic listener cannot fully bridge the gap between description and what is was like being there…The irony is that epiphanies are made for sharing, even as they are impossible to communicate fully.…


Unlike the poor shepherds, the Magi had to travel a long road; they had to face adversity to reach their goal. It was anything but a romantic, sentimental pilgrimage that we often see in our manger scenes!…The experience of the magi reminds us that all who make the tedious journey to the truth will finally encounter it and be changed in the process. They can never go back to a ‘business as usual’ way of life. When we meet Christ and see who he really is, we will never be the same–and only then can we hope to begin to share in his mission…”

Thomas Rosica in “The Tedius Journey to Truth and Joy”. Biblical Reflection for January 2, Solemnity of the Epiphany, Year A, December 25, 2010.

“Gratitude for God’s liberality toward us is best displayed in liberality toward others.”

Douglas Wilson in “Base Line Generosity” blogpost on 28 December 2013.

“Money and marriage can mix well if both are centered in God. Time and discipline are needed to master our money for God’s glory, to bring it fully into His kingdom. When King Jesus rules both our marriage and our money (what a glorious thought!), we receive the rewards. Then we experience the benefits of the kingdom–righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We become pleasing to God and respected by the people who matter most to us (see Rom. 14:17-18). The kingdom of God is good news–great news! It brings God’s best–forgiveness, cleansing, gifts, fruit of the Spirit, character, virtue, joy, light, life–and much more. Happy marriages, good families, satisfying careers and healthy finances are often the byproducts. Money used wisely for God’s glory, helps build a happy marriage. Money misused foolishly for personal gain helps create an unhappy marriage.”

Neil T. Anderson and Charles Mylander, Experiencing Christ Together: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in Marriage (Ventura: Regal, 2006) 143.

“I have come to believe that the threshold of the Way of Life is simplicity. We make the choice; we receive the faith; we place our trust in God…How Jesus put it, calling a little child to stand in the midst of them, was ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 18:3 NIV)…The entry point is simplicity…

Many people say that simplicity is a personal choice (it is, but not in the sense that they mean it—optional); some are called to it, others are not. Soothingly, reasonably, as to a willful child (my bad attitudes drive them to it, but they’re still wrong!), they explain to me that as long as a person has simplicity on the inside, in the heart, that’s what matters—then it’s okay to embrace all the trappings of worldliness, because what God looks on is the heart. Unequivocally, I refute this. They mean well, but their advice is a signpost that points in the wrong direction.”

Penelope Wilcock, In Celebration of Simplicity (Monarch Books, 2009) 11-12.