Simple Living and Family Life

Niccole Williamson

Emily Morris

2 Corinthians 4:18

What is simple living? It is practical living in light of eternity, cultivating a heart that belongs to eternal things, and freedom. It involves practicing gratitude, generosity and a skepticism towards worldly conventions. "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Enemies of the Cross

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Materialism defines fulfillment and security in terms of material possessions in this life. Christians in this present world are particularly vulnerable with the massive cultural pressure to engage in materialism. To resist this pressure, Christians must cultivate deep convictions about Jesus' return and His eternal kingdom, see through materialism enough that they are emotionally affected by its impact, and prioritize and treasure fellowship with committed Christians.

Teaching Our Kids to Be Givers Not Takers

Gloria McCallum

Acts 20:35

Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As parents, we don't have to teach our kids to be selfish or entitled. They are born knowing how to be self-centered. We are bombarded by the culture with messages of being a good parent means being child-centered. But research confirms what Jesus told us. We really are happier when we give sacrificially to others.

The Hidden Cost of Materialism

James Rochford

1 Timothy 6:3-19

Materialism is deceiving because it promises happiness but delivers depression. It promises fulfillment but leaves you feeling empty. Studies show again and again that attaining the one's highest material goals never satisfies. The Bible has a solution. God instructs those who want to be rich to invest in eternal things. Develop critical thinking skills to combat the lies of this world, practice gratitude for what you do have, think about your end of life and what you want to leave behind, and become a generous giver.

Avoiding Avarice

Chris Hearty

1 Timothy 6:6-19

In this world, we are flooded with the message that material things will bring happiness. The Bible strongly refutes this belief. True happiness is found in pursuing an eternal value system. Without God's perspective on material things, we cannot fully enjoy the things we do obtain. One of the best ways to avoid the trap of materialism is to be a generous giver.

Escaping Avarice

Dennis McCallum

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Paul warns Timothy of the danger of material avarice, which is the extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Instead, Paul encourages the positive values of simple living and the compassionate us of wealth. Paul is not condemning being wealthy, but putting your faith in your wealth instead of God. The problem is not money but the love of money which can lead to conceit and fixing your hope in the uncertainty of riches. There are great riches to be found in contentment and appreciation.

Chapter Four

Chris Hearty

Ecclesiastes 4:1-12

King Solomon considered the oppression the powerful exert over the earth and saw the meaninglessness of justice apart from God. He saw people either try excessively to achieve or the alternative, just give up trying. He saw the perils of being alone in this world. Solomon warns trying to live a life apart from God leads to oppression, discontentment or loneliness.

Is Pleasure Meaningless without God?

James Rochford

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

There was no pleasure that King Solomon denied himself. He indulged himself in alcohol, entertainment, women, anything money could buy. Not that any of those things are wrong in themselves, but pursuing them for happiness or meaning is fruitless. He found all those things were meaningless. He discovered he could not enjoy the gifts apart from the Giver of the gifts, God.

The Pursuit of Achievement and Success

Conrad Hilario

Ecclesiastes 2:17-23

King Solomon, having already determined that pursuing wonton pleasure does not lead to a meaningful life, now turns his attention to attaining achievement and material success. But once again he comes up empty. He understands all his toil and anxious striving only leads to grief and pain, and restlessness. The Bible does not teach that work is sinful, but seeking ones significance from work is. There is a type of work that is meaningful, due to its enduring quality. When we pursue the work of the Lord, we will find significance and meaning.