In their book On being a Priest today, Christopher Cocksworth and Rosalind Brown say this:

One way of exploring what being holy means in practice is to use the framework of the evangelical virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Far from being the preserve of monastics, the virtues are essential to us as people who hear the priestly calling to be holy so that we can enable others to be holy.

On the subject of poverty they go on to say this: 

Poverty is usually construed in terms of deficiency or shortage, but it actually has far more to do with simplicity and adequacy. That immediately puts a positive construction on it, freeing us to live gratefully and graciously. Unlike poverty that is enforced rather than chosen and is not a virtue, poverty as a virtue enables us to live with openness to God and to others.

So inspired by that quote, we’ve come up with ten easy ways of living simply:

1. Notice and appreciate the nature around you.

2. Check your motivation when buying something.

3. Lend and borrow with others (Eg Lawnmowers, dresses, campervans).

4. Give something away you haven’t used in the past year.

5. Host a ‘swishing party’ to swap clothes with friends, thereby avoiding buying new clothes which might be unethically sourced. (See Swishing)

6. Create a moment of silence in your day to calm your mind.

7. Give up any luxury item you find yourself addicted to.

8. Remind yourself of the long-term, heavenly perspective.

9. Learn to sew and mend old clothes.

10. Examine your commitments and cut back on them if necessary. (Better to devote yourself to few things than rush many things, feeling pressured.)

The bible says:

‘But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things (food, drink, clothes) will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6.33)

We want to know "In what other ways could you live simply"?