Choosing to live simply, so others can simply live.  This was one of those concepts that plagued me all day.  Every time I tried to move past it, I was drawn back in……………  Choosing to live simply so others can simply live………………….

After an entire day of mulling this over, I am still unsettled with the prospects that this statement implies.  While trying to wrap my head around this concept,  several key bible verses resonated within my spirit, which in turn caused me to look deeper into the meaning of this phrase.  I will attempt to retrace the path of my thoughts so you can draw your own conclusions……………

Matthew 19:24

24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When we think of the rich man, we think of someone who is obnoxiously wealthy.  Some one who doesn’t ever have to worry about money. But in God’s eye, who is considered rich?  Does God differentiate between countries and their respective economies, or does God use a  scale which compares the very poor of this world to the individuals who are the richest.  This is where I became extremely perplexed.  I don’t consider myself rich by monetary standards of this country, but what if I compared my income to other countries of the world.  I was curious.

I went to a site called Global Rich List.com and entered my yearly wages.  I was shocked to find out that my income was in the top 1% of all the incomes in the world…………..I think you can see where I am going.  In God’s eyes, am I the rich man??????

The truth is, even those who are below the poverty level in the United States, are still in the top 15% of all worldwide incomes.  So the question is, in God’s eyes does America represent the rich man?  I would contend it does……………….

Jesus also said in Matthew 19:  “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Are we doing enough to help the poor of this world?  A better question would be…….As a rich person will we be rewarded in the Kingdom of God or have we already received our rewards?  I would propose this plan: Choose to live simply, so others can simply live.

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