The Necessity of a Simple Life for Ministers...

This summer I am blessed with the opportunity to be going on a mission trip to Gaspe, Quebec. In order to prepare for the trip it has been suggested that those going read several books. The one I'm currently reading is an autobiography of J. Hudson Taylor. It has been immensely encouraging and challenging. As someone who has a desire to be used of God when I read about these men and what God did through them I am humbled by my own laziness and lack of faith that God can, does, and will continue to do amazing things through his people.

One part of the book that I found quite challenging was a section where Taylor described his way of living as he prepared for the mission field. He knew that life would not be easy on the field so he took the years before he left for China to ready himself. One of his aims was to give as much of his income away as he could and still live. At one point he lived off of only bread and water.

Upon first reading this my reaction was one of scoffing. I found myself saying "Surely this man knows that he can eat? Surely he knows it is not wrong to consume good food and drink?" But the more I thought about it the more I saw just how connected the idea of sacrifice is with those of us who have been called to serve Jesus Christ. The pleasures that the world contains are not afforded us. The striving after material goods is futile. All things pale when compared with the vast riches we have obtained in Christ Jesus.

Well, that same problem rises up from the flesh. I know these things to be true but yet I still pursue that harlot the world like she was worth something. I am adulterous and my heart longs to be filled with anything but Christ. This is why the simple life is better. I need to keep telling myself that because it is true. It is better to pursue God than the life that I would want for myself. The glories of Christ are far greater than anything else.

So I will end with this little quote from Taylor that describes what he did so that he would be found a good steward of what God had given him. Here he reflected on the truth and certainty of the Lord's return:

I learned too that the period of His return for His people was not revealed, and that it was their privilege, from day to day and from hour to hour, to live as men who wait for the Lord; that thus living it was immaterial, so to speak, whether He should or should not come at any particular hour, the important thing being so ready for Him as to be able, whenever He might appear, to give an account of one's stewardship with joy, and not with grief.

Thinking on this brought him to begin practicing simplifying his life. Here he talks about what the hope affected in his life:

The effect of this blessed hope was a thoroughly practical one. It led me to look carefully through my little library to see if there were any books there that were not needed or likely to be of further service, and to examine my small wardrobe, to be quite sure that it contained nothing that I should be sorry to give an account of should the Master come at once...I believe we are all in danger of accumulating-it may be from thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation-things which would be useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the retention of which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the Church of God were well utilized, how much more might be accomplished! How many poor might be fed, and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet unreached the gospel might be carried! Let me advise this line of things as a constant habit of the mind, and a profitable course to be practically adopted whenever circumstances permit.