Less is more

A definition on the web states: “Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features and core self expression…, etc.”

In the economy of God, less is more. The less we depend on ourselves, the more we get in this life. It’s a reverse psychology, a mirror paradigm, a throwback, a retrograde from modern life.

Less of what this world offers, more of what God has to offer. This world passes away, with all its games, toys, and luxuries, which it uses to bribe us. Eternity is just upon us; the great controversy is almost finalized.

More faith in God; less atheism. This is the key of true success. Real prosperity only comes when we are living in sync with God and His law. His righteousness and love will unlock heaven’s bounties like nothing else can. Shouldn’t the Bible be our first study?

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Receiving to give—the true partnership with Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

Do you want to be rich? Give away what you have and you will become the pipeline heaven uses to bless the world. The more you give away, the more you will want to give away. The more you want to give away, the more ideas come to mind of how better to give, and the more will be multiplied to you for disbursing to the world.

This is how the wealthy men of the Bible worked it. They were content to have money or not to have it. All they wanted to do was glorify God, and He saw fit to trust them with His blessing for those around them. Job, the richest man in his whole country mentioned, “I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil…The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.”

Abraham was no less a man of hospitality, even keeping on the look-out and running to greet passers-by. He was a man whom God could trust with monetary favor. He also was a king among men. They bowed low in his presence; and he was happy and quick to return the same respect. (Gen. 23:7,12). He wasn’t humble because he was rich; he was powerful because he was humble.

What does the world’s studying and chasing after luxury and ease do for us? “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (vs. 9,10). “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (vs. 6,8).

At this point I would like to remember a good neighbor of mine. Jeff (pseudo name) is a compulsory con-artist. So he did the oldest trick the book to my wife. He borrowed $50 and paid it back. Next he needed $100, which he promptly repaid. Finally, he needed $200, which he hasn’t paid back and apparently never intended to.

Let’s not think we can con God out of some wealth by getting on His good side and acting like Christians just for the purpose of ending up with a mother lode and then skipping the relationship with a life-time of goodies. It doesn’t work like that. First of all, “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” (2Tim. 2:19). Second of all, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7).

God wants to trust us with the comfortable life. He blesses with prosperity those who are obedient to His laws, even when their children lose their need of Him after all His great benevolence to them because of their faithful parents. In His great grace, He has prospered this nation because of the righteous principles accepted by and then passed down from our forefathers. But our way of thinking has changed over the centuries. We’ve come to bite the hand that has been feeding us. On the one hand, the religious group have become con-men to God; on the other hand, the irreligious have become atheistic and presumptuous of His blessings.

Shouldn’t our education comprise the study of the principles which bring true success in this life? Go to school; go to the university, if you must. But first and always go to the source of real truth, the fountain of life, the Bible.

And let’s not forget to meet the really smart Person behind its deep wisdom. He can teach us a lot more than men can.