Hinduism’s Simple lifestyle is taught through non-attachment or what may be called psychological Simple Lifestyle. It is a way of considering events in our life with some distance. As for Buddhism, non-attachment brings us peace of mind. Simple Lifestyle is above all simple mind. Most of the time, the acquisition of this virtue goes along with the practise of asceticism within a spiritual community. We also learn to be in harmony with the opposite forces we meet. A simple state of awareness in the present time is essential. Whereas Hinduism and Buddhism have a more intellectual approach on Simple Style, Taoism tends to suggest concrete daily acts. A Simpler Lifestyle would imply: walking, earning less money, wearing simple clothes. For Taoism, the fact of “possessing” is not an authentic source of happiness. As human nature is intrinsically in demand for more than what we may possess, it is worthless to accumulate wealth.
Now, what is the Biblical viewpoint about Simple Lifestyle? The Bible teaches us how to make a fair balance between wealth and poverty, not to fall into extreme asceticism nor blind materialism. First of all, the Bible does not condemn wealth or poverty. On the contrary, wealth can be seen as a sign of God’s blessing (Jer 9:23; Deut 8 ). However, wealth obtained through immoral and illegal means is blamed (Amos 5:11). Christians should be careful to the seductive effects wealth can have on them; notably that they derive resources from the right path. For all things and all creations must be directed to God. As for poverty, the Bible offers interpretations that it can be an affect of God’s test (Job 1:12-19), punishment (Isa 47:9) or simply the result of cultural, economic environment (Prov 10:15). The latter may be the cause of cultural laziness yet moreover is due to lack of education or even inappropriate government policies. The Bible also offers another explanation of poverty: That oppression and exploitation of vulnerable people is the most wide spread source of impoverishment around the world (Prov.28:15). Obviously, Christianity stands against this injustice. Generally, a handful of the population benefits from the wealth and the majority is forced to live in misery. Living a Simple Lifestyle has nothing to do with it. Biblically, voluntary poverty might be helpful to feel freer from our material world and more attentive to spiritual ways. What Christians propose is a sedate and rationale living based on one’s freedom. Just let us remember that when Jesus called his disciples to follow Him, it was absolutely up to each of them to go or to stay. As Christ showed the way, Christians attempted to make a reasonable usage of material means and target our life to God.
It is not easy and we may sometimes be tempted to be in vogue and share the values of this world. It is hard and challenging to be different. But Christians have to be aware of what their choices lead them to. Let us remember that Jesus recommended that we should give back to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what is to Him! Saying so, Christ drew our attention to discern between what is essential – namely our relationship with God – from what is superficial and ephemeral, the pleasuring of the senses. When Jesus was on earth, He owned next to nothing. He lived as a carpenter’s son, close to the poor and we – Christians – have to follow his tracks. That means we should live a Simple Lifestyle, owning what is necessary for our well-being. It may resemble living like the poor; but it is not adopting a life of abject need, fighting for life and subjecting oneself to chronically substandard living environments. This is what we fight and renounce wealth to change for others. A Simple Lifestyle should be seen as Christians’ solidarity with the marginalised in our society; a kind of message of Hope, for the Bible said that those who suffer here will be blessed and consoled in Heaven. We should not be afraid of Simple Living. Jesus survived it, why not us? In God, we can only find consolation and in struggles and times of low feeling this is how we view the Christians’ experience.
I dare not say that our community has the best Simple Lifestyle. We just try to stick to our basic needs. We go shopping at Tesco Metro, which is cheaper to Tesco Express (by the way, sorry for the advertisement). We have only been to cinema once since we arrived in Birmingham. Most of the time, our main entertainment is a chat in the dining room, with some music. Sometimes, one of us shares their artistic talent, playing some musical instrument .We do each other’s hair and do not go to the barber or hair dresser. We are also committed in ecology, especially in recycling plastics, papers and glasses. We do not do something extraordinary. We are just trying to experiment with Simple Lifestyle, together, at least once in our lives. So, the Christian view, the ideal Simple Lifestyle is the one Jesus practised. It may demand some sobriety (a basic needs sustainable life). Nonetheless, wealth is not fundamentally questioned as far as Christian’s treasure is centred to God. For the Bible reminds us that: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6)
Isabelle was a JVC volunteer 2006-. She volunteered at Brushstrokes and the British Red Cross working with asylum seekers and refugees
