The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry | Simplicity | Week 4

Simplicity is not simply about owning less. It is about making room for what matters most.

In Matthew 6, Jesus challenges us to examine what truly holds first place in our lives. He warns that we cannot serve both God and money, not because possessions are inherently wrong, but because our attention, affection, and trust can quietly become divided. The things we own, pursue, and worry about can begin to own us.

That is why simplicity is a spiritual practice. It helps us remove the clutter that competes for our hearts. When our lives are filled with constant consumption, endless purchases, and anxiety about having enough, it becomes harder to live with Jesus at the center. The goal is not deprivation. The goal is proper order.

Jesus offers a better way: “Seek first his kingdom.” Instead of allowing our lives to be shaped by what we can acquire, we can ask a different question: Does this help me become the kind of person who seeks God’s kingdom first?

That kind of simplicity may look surprisingly practical. We can slow down before buying something new and consider its true cost—not just in dollars, but in time, attention, and space. We can develop the habit of giving things away. And we can relearn how to enjoy simple gifts: a walk outside, conversation with people we love, time in creation, and moments that do not require us to purchase anything.

The invitation of Jesus is not merely to declutter our homes. It is to declutter our hearts.

For Jesus’ throne to fit, we must make room. And as we seek his kingdom first, everything else can begin to find its proper place.