Growing in RighteousnessSample

Justice: Nothing new?

We continue with The Sermon on the Mount for a bit longer. After Jesus has already taught His disciples a great deal, He wants them to understand that God provides. That He provides. Much of chapter 6 is about this. With a recurring credo: "Do not be anxious."

Worrying causes you to stop living in the now. You become preoccupied with tomorrow and what is needed then. Or you get stuck in the past and don't get around to the beauty that God has for you now. The present is a gift from God. A present for you. So live in the now, enjoying who God is and what He is giving you today. This is also how this section closes in verse 34.

In verses 25 through 31 Jesus tells us not to worry about clothes, food, drinks. Important things that you need, but they can easily keep you so busy that you lose focus on what really matters. Jesus tells us not to worry about them. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things we be added to you" (verse 33).

Today‘s challenge is to limit your purchases of anything new for period. No new clothes, no new gadgets. Actually, we have more than enough right? And let the result be that you are not so busy anymore with all the things you still want, and that you enjoy the "now" more and more.

Speaking of justice and righteousness: all this consuming of ours, do we realize the consequences of all that? Depletion of people and resources, dissatisfaction, unrest. People being exploited to make that cheap shirt. Let's stop it. Reducing consumerism. Will you join us?

To think about:

• Jesus says: "Do not be anxious." But there are plenty of legitimate things to worry about right? So what are you supposed to do with that? (Read Philippians 4:6-9)
• This challenge might be tough. How will you tackle this?
• Is there someone you can do this with?

Prayer:

"Lord, You are enough. And yet I often want so much more. Will You impress upon me more and more that nothing can fill and satisfy my heart but only You, and that that is enough. And of what I have Lord, help me to share and let others share in the blessing You give. Amen."