Simple Living (A Rich Young Man)

I have decided to do a few extra songs this Christmas week. I hope you don’t mind. Today’s song is definitely not your traditional Christmas song or Christmas carol. To be honest, until Monday of this week, I had never heard this song before. It was written by modern day hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend. Sheri and I were able to attend the Getty’s Irish Christmas concert in Nashville Monday evening. In addition to several traditional Christmas songs, they also sang the song below. At first glance, it will not appear to be a Christmas song. But I think that after you read the words and the song’s focus on giving, I think it becomes very appropriate this time of the year. This song was not written hundreds of years ago, but has those hymn-like qualities that made me want to share the lyrics with you. It has sound theology, and is supported by stories from Scripture. I hope it’s words challenge you as they have me.

A rich young man came to ask of Christ
“Good teacher, will you tell me
What must I do for eternal life
I’ve kept your laws completely.”
“Sell all you have, give to the poor
Then heaven’s treasure shall be yours.”
How hard for those who are rich on earth
To gain the wealth of heaven

Now Jesus sat by the off’ring gate
As people brought their money
The rich they filled the collection plate
The widow gave a penny
“Now she’s outgiven all the rest
Her gift was all that she possessed.”
Not what you give but what you keep
Is what the King is counting

O teach me Lord to walk this road
The road of simple living
To be content with what I own
And generous in giving
And when I cling to what I have
Please wrest it quickly from my grasp
I’d rather lose all the things of earth
To gain the things of heaven

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “Not what you give but what you keep is what the King is counting” – I thought this perspective on giving was really unique.  Too often we can find ourselves wrestling with what to give to the Lord or or to give to other worthy causes.  We ask ourselves questions like “Is the tithe an Old Testament or New Testament concept?”  “Is 10% too much, just right, or not enough?”  “Do I tithe on the gross or the net?”  “Can I give part of my tithe to other worthy causes outside the church?”  I am not discounting those questions at all because I think each of us needs to work through those kinds of questions with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word.  But this particular statement in this song really challenges me to not focus on what I am giving, but what I am keeping.  Can a person give 50% of their income away and still be stingy?  Can a person give $1,000,000 away and still be self-reliant and a hoarder of money?  Unfortunately, I think the answer to both of those questions is “Yes.”  If we remain “tight-fisted” when it comes to money and possessions, we can be outside of the Lord’s will in our lives, even if we give a lot of money away.  It is a heart issue and that is what I think the first two verses of this song are focused on.

• “Generous in giving” – Here are some passages of Scripture that talk about what God does for “generous” people.  Take note of what God “will” do for those that are generous.

Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Psalm 112:5  Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Proverbs 11:25  A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 22:9  The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

 2 Corinthians 9:6  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

• “And when I cling to what I have.  Please wrest it quickly from my grasp” – This is probably the toughest line in the whole song because I am not sure it is a prayer we pray regularly or honestly.  Do we really want God to take away those things we cling to most?  Are we willing to exchange the things of earth for the treasures of Heaven?  I will admit that I am last in line when it comes to praying this prayer.  I rarely, if ever, have asked God to take away a “blessing.”  I seem to be asking for more blessings when I pray.  I tend to want to grasp too easily and hang onto the things that God has blessed me with.  Lord, help me to have an open heart and an open hand when it comes to giving!

The word simple in the Bible often times refers to the “foolish” or the “not so wise.”  This song is entitled “Simple living” and I’m pretty sure the author doesn’t want us living “foolish” lives, so I thought it would be a good idea to see what the dictionary had to say about the word “simple.”  Simple can mean “not elaborate or artificial” and “nor ornate or luxurious” and “unassuming and modest” and “not complicated.”  I think the dictionary has it right.  I want to live a “simple life.”  A life that is not elaborate or artificial.  A lifestyle that is not ornate or luxurious.  But a modest, unassuming, uncomplicated life.  A life of generosity and simplicity.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you too start down a path of simple living.  I personally believe that simple living starts with generous giving as evidenced by the parables of Jesus included in this song.

Merry “Simple” Christmas to you and yours!!!