Is Living the Simple Life the Best Approach?

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Written by Jimmie Burroughs Email to a friend

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul [Purpose of life]? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36.

“Life, in its simplest, most basic form was far more precious than any amenities it could afford, such as prizes and fame, respect and riches, the acceptance of either peers or strangers.” -Sandra Brown, The Thrill of victory

The emphasis all around us today is on gaining all we can of the world’s riches and pleasures, but what does it all profit if we lose the very essence of life in the process? From the verse above, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul [Life],” it is  obvious that things are a poor trade off for life. Life is short at best. How vain and worthless it is to spend it amassing things that only can be shortly left behind, especially if one has given his whole life to the pursuit of those things. He has indeed exchanged his life for things that don’t satisfy and must be soon left behind. King Solomon of the Bible certainly was qualified to comment on this, he says: “It is all vanities of vanities…all is vanity!” 38 times in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon uses the word vanity as he writes on his experiences of life “under the sun.” Vanity means emptiness, futility, vapor, or that which vanishes away quickly. Rather just living the simple life than amassing things that don’t satisfy the soul. It is hard for the world to see the vanity when they have in the back of their mind that what they are about will eventually bring the happiness, and meaning they are searching for, and often too late they discover that it doesn’t.

Researchers in the 1970s set out to follow people who won the lottery and determine the effect it had on their lives. It was discovered that just one year after they won the jackpot, they were no happier than those who didn’t win. The researchers referred to this as hedonic adaptation, which means that a person has a level of happiness that remains about the same regardless of what happens, whether it is bad or good, and it is determined more by the way a person thinks. Only by improving your attitude towards life concerning what is the true purpose can you actually increase your happiness on a permanent basis.

No greater wisdom on the question of life can be found than that of King Solomon, and yet it is widely ignored today or grossly misunderstood. Ecclesiastes was written apparently near the end of Solomon’s life, after he had personally experimented with all the ideological concepts that men believed would make life worthwhile. He had already written on wisdom and love in two previous books, Proverbs and the Song of Solomon, and now in Ecclesiastes he sums it all up as he writes on the meaning of life.

It is apparent that Solomon is searching his own heart intensely for the purpose of life and therefore he discusses it from many viewpoints based on his own experience and then comes to a conclusion. Unlike most of us, Solomon had the time and resources to try whatever he choose to determine its value to life. Everything that riches could buy and power could obtain was at his fingertips. What a disappointing discovery: “All is vanity”, worthless in itself. Unlike other wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes emphasizes human goals as an ends in themselves, apart from God, as futile and meaningless.

Solomon’s Ecclesiastes is as relevant today as it was when he wrote it:

• Injustice to the poor, Ecclesiastes 4:1-3.
• Corrupt politics, Ecclesiastes 5:8.
• Slow justice for criminals, Ecclesiastes 8:11
• Materialism, Ecclesiastes 5:10.
• Incompetent Leadership, Ecclesiastes 10:6-7
• Wishing for the good old days, Ecclesiastes 7:10.

It is easy to be duped by the god of this world, Satan, and overlook what gives purpose and meaning to life until it is too late, and life has been wasted in pursuit of those things which add little or no value. The bottom line to the point King Solomon is making throughout Ecclesiastes is:

• When we live by faith, life is an adventure, Ecclesiastes 4:1-5:9.
• Though life is difficult, every day is a precious gift…enjoy it, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6.
• Don’t waste your experiences; learn from them, Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8.
• Be a good steward of your life toward God, Ecclesiastes 12:9-12.

Please watch the short video below and see how one man learned about living through a very adverse experience; viewed 8,646,898 times:

Conclusion

This is a profound thought: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? I hope that you will take the time to consider it carefully and wisely. The most depressing thought is that many will exchange the brevity of this life filled with all its disappointments for eternity in heaven. Take time now to learn how you can go to heaven.

About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website, (Website Contents) in your personal growth.

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