June 28th, 2026- Spiritual Habits: Simplicity

Devotional

Day 1: When Bank Statements Reveal Your Heart’s Compass

Jesus taught that our hearts chase what we value most—not the other way around. A crowded life distracts us from noticing where our true treasures lie. Just as financial transactions expose priorities, daily choices unveil what owns our affection. Simplicity begins by asking what eternal investments we’re neglecting while clinging to temporary comforts. Clarity comes when we audit our lives as ruthlessly as we check receipts. [45:22]

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: What recent purchase, habit, or commitment would your bank statement or calendar reveal as a “treasure”? How might reallocating that resource deepen your focus on God’s kingdom?

Day 2: Clearing Room for the One Thing That Won’t Be Taken

Martha’s busyness with good preparations drowned out the joy of Jesus’ presence. Simplicity isn’t about doing less but making space to receive what cannot be lost. Like decluttering a crowded room, spiritual simplicity removes distractions so Christ’s voice isn’t competing with life’s background noise. Mary chose the “one thing”—attentiveness—that anchored her soul beyond the chaos. [58:27]

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41–42, NIV)

Reflection: What “good thing” in your schedule or responsibilities currently overshadows your capacity to sit with Jesus? How might you protect 10 minutes today to listen without multitasking?

Day 3: Trading Earthly Clutter for Eternal Clarity

Moths ruin fabrics, thieves steal gadgets, but heaven’s treasures withstand every threat. Jesus contrasts temporary hoarding with eternal investing, urging us to collect what outlasts decay. Like billionaires who wear simple clothes, disciples free themselves by valuing what can’t be displayed in storage units. Simplicity trades accumulation for liberation, letting go of glitter to grasp glory. [42:54]

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
(Matthew 6:19–20, NIV)

Reflection: What material possession or financial goal subtly competes with your generosity? What one step could you take this week to invest in someone’s eternal growth?

Day 4: Contentment Paved With Gratitude, Not Grandeur

Paul called godliness with contentment “great gain”—not because poverty is holy, but because gratitude reshapes our definition of enough. A thankful heart for a Honda Accord immunizes us against envy for a Mercedes. Simplicity thrives when we count ordinary gifts as sacred: breath, family, a meal. The road to satisfaction is paved with noticing, not acquiring. [52:57]

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
(1 Timothy 6:6–7, NIV)

Reflection: What ordinary blessing have you overlooked this week? Write down three “small” gifts from God you’re tempted to take for granted.

Day 5: Seeking First the Kingdom You Don’t Have to Chase

Jesus promised that seeking God’s kingdom first brings unexpected provision—not through striving, but surrender. Like the pastor who received opportunities without résumés, simplicity trusts that what we need follows our focus. Chasing God’s heart loosens our grip on outcomes, letting blessings arrive as gifts, not trophies. The chase ends where trust begins. [01:03:42]

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Reflection: What goal or worry have you been “chasing” that God might want you to release? How would your week look different if you prioritized seeking Him over solving problems?

Sermon Summary

Simplicity stands up in Matthew 6 as a radical spiritual choice in a culture of more. Jesus gives a stark contrast. Earthly treasure rusts, rots, and can be stolen. Heavenly treasure lasts. Then the claim lands like a plumb line for the soul. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The direction is decisive. The heart does not drag treasure along. The treasure pulls the heart. That is why simplicity begins with the heart, not the closet, the calendar, or the bank account. The heart always travels toward the treasure, so the first work is to revalue what matters.

Matthew 6 names the clutter for what it is. Noise that drowns the voice of God. Busyness that fills the hands and starves the soul. The call to simplicity makes a trade. Clutter for clarity. Busyness for peace. Earthly gain for eternal value. Not because poverty is holy or excellence is suspect, but because the chase can become a drug and even good things can become heavy when the heart is split. First Timothy 6 joins the witness. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Contentment walks the road of gratitude and remembers nothing came in and nothing will go out.

Luke 10 puts flesh on the choice. Martha’s hands serve Jesus, but her heart misses Jesus. Cognitive load crowds attention, and a crowded mind makes a distracted heart. Mary chooses the one necessary thing. She sits, attends, abides. Jesus names it better, and he will not take it away. Simplicity does not only remove. It makes room, especially for presence.

Then Matthew 6:33 draws the line straight. Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given. What is given does not need to be chased. Set the pursuit on the King, and goodness and mercy do the following. The freedom simplicity offers is not lack. It is freedom from chaos. Freedom to live on purpose, love well, and serve with joy. Jesus does not only teach this way. He lives it. He refuses status and the applause of more and stays on mission to do the Father’s will, to give his life, and to rise. Simplicity lets him be first in the heart. As distractions are removed, they are replaced with stillness, clarity, and presence, so the soul can feed on what lasts.

Key Takeaways

1. The heart follows the treasure The direction matters. Affections trail investments, not the other way around. Where resources, attention, and protection go, desire attaches and grows. Aim the treasure at what lasts and the heart will learn to love what is eternal. [45:22]
2. Simplicity begins in the heart Closets, calendars, and budgets only echo deeper loves. The discipline starts with reordering desire, not merely downsizing possessions. When the heart is reclaimed, the hands can finally release what does not matter. [44:22]
3. Choose the one necessary thing Mary’s posture reveals freedom. Attention becomes devotion when presence takes priority over productivity. Even good tasks can hide the better portion if the soul never sits to listen. [58:11]
4. Seek first what lasts Kingdom-first living reorients the chase. What many run after is promised as given when the King is first. The gift meets the one who abides, not the one who burns out on pursuit. [63:19]
5. Contentment travels with gratitude Gain without gratitude still feels empty. Thankfulness teaches the soul to rest in God’s provision and loosens the grip of more. Remembering that nothing is carried out reframes what is truly worth carrying now. [52:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:42] - Anything is possible
[24:10] - Habits series: Simplicity
[25:36] - Prayer and making room
[28:43] - Simplicity is a radical choice
[30:54] - Hearts follow treasure
[34:55] - When noise drowns God’s voice
[37:56] - The chase that starves the soul
[41:05] - Earthly vs heavenly treasure
[56:13] - Mary and Martha’s contrast
[58:11] - Choose the one necessary thing
[63:05] - Seek first the kingdom
[65:06] - Given, not chased testimonies
[70:55] - Jesus’ way of simplicity
[75:58] - Invitation to follow Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 6:19-21, what contrast does Jesus make between earthly and heavenly treasures? How does He describe the vulnerability of earthly treasures?
According to the sermon, why does Jesus emphasize that “your heart follows your treasure” rather than the other way around? (Refer to Matthew 6:21 and the sermon’s explanation of the “direction of the effect” [45:22])
In Luke 10:38-42, what does Jesus identify as “the one necessary thing” that Mary chose, and how does this contrast with Martha’s actions?
How does 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (“godliness with contentment is great gain”) connect to the idea that “contentment travels with gratitude”?

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus use the imagery of moths, rust, and thieves to describe earthly treasures? What does this reveal about the nature of worldly pursuits?
The sermon states, “A crowded mind makes a distracted heart” ([59:50]). How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate this principle in Luke 10?
The sermon argues that “simplicity begins with the heart, not the closet, calendar, or bank account” ([44:22]). How does Matthew 6:21 support this claim?
What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom” (Matthew 6:33) in a culture that prioritizes productivity, status, and accumulation? How does this reorient our daily choices?

Application Questions

Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What is one area of your life (finances, time, relationships) where your current “treasure” might be pulling your heart away from eternal priorities?
The sermon mentions replacing “noise with stillness” and “busyness with presence” ([12:01]). What is one practical step you can take this week to reduce distractions and create intentional space to listen to God?
Reflect on Martha’s distraction with “many things” (Luke 10:41). What “good things” in your life might be crowding out the “one necessary thing” of abiding with Christ? How can you reorder these priorities?
The sermon states, “Contentment is paved on the road of gratitude” ([52:34]). What are 3 specific blessings or provisions in your life that you often overlook? How can you cultivate daily thankfulness for them?
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus promises that “all these things will be added” when we seek God’s kingdom first. What fear or hesitation holds you back from fully trusting this promise? How can you surrender that fear this week?
The sermon challenges, “Not everything that fills your hands deserves your heart” ([55:42]). What is one possession, habit, or commitment you need to release to make room for eternal treasures?

Sermon Clips

34s

#LifeIsStewardship

“Because death death is an appointment we all gotta make. We brought nothing into this world. Think about that for a minute. We're just stewarding this stuff. Not everything that fills your hands deserves your heart. This is the real issue.”

33s

#GratitudeBreedsContentment

“Contentment is a valuable commodity. Contentment, the road to contentment is paved with gratitude. Because when we stop and pause for a second, instead of wanting more, if you wanna be content, the way to get the contentment is to be thankful. I'm about to shout here today for what you already have. I wish I had some help here today. Can I get a witness?”

50s

#LessNoiseMorePrayer

“So prayer helps us talk to god. Right? Scripture helps us listen to god. But here's the question. What happens when our lives are so full, full of stuff, noise, busyness, pressure, distractions that we can barely hear god. Too much noise can make it hard to hear god's voice. And here's the deal, a crowded life can create a quiet soul.”

24s

#HeartFollowsTreasure

“Notice the direction of the effect. Your treasure does not follow your heart. Instead, your heart follows your treasure. Think about that. Does that make sense? Are y'all tracking? Blink your eyes. Say amen. Not yet.”

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June 28th, 2026- Spiritual Habits: Simplicity - Pastor Corey J Hodges