# Live Simply: Reflections on Luke 9:25
*2022-10-18*

> Bill Young reflects on the call to live simply during Lent, using Luke 9:25 as a lens to examine generosity, poverty, and the true profit of the Gospel.

## Opening Prayer and Scripture

Good morning. This is Bill Young, welcome to another episode of Prayer & Lunch. Let us begin with a prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless those who are in need today. Give food to the hungry, and grant those who have plenty the desire to feed others. Amen.” Our Gospel reading for today is Luke 9:25: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

## Why We Give

We often wonder why we should give to the poor, especially when a modest donation seems insignificant in the grand scheme of the world’s needs. Yet, when we give, we are reminded of the hunger that exists everywhere. The act of giving confronts us with our own poverty and turns our hearts toward Jesus. It invites us to pray for the needy, to ask Christ for guidance, and ultimately to entrust Him with the care of those we cannot reach.

## Living Simply in a Consumer Culture

Giving also forces us to pause and consider what truly matters. In a culture obsessed with acquisition, the call to live simply becomes a radical witness. By simplifying our lives, we free resources—time, money, and energy—that can be redirected to serve others. This simplicity is not merely personal austerity; it is a communal act that enables others to live more fully.

## The Profit Question

Jesus asks us to examine the profit of gaining the world while losing our soul. As we fast, pray, and give during this Lenten season, we are invited to answer that question honestly. The true profit lies not in material accumulation but in the transformation of our hearts toward love and charity.

*Living simply frees us to love more deeply, turning the world’s gain into the salvation of our souls.*