Jesus doesn’t say that we can’t have a smartphone, drive a reliable car, live in a lovely house or wear fancy clothes. What he does say is “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” He tells us to “be rich toward God”.
Jesus knows our desires and what we value.
Many times, what we value is reflected in the way we live our lives. If we desire worldly things, we will end up with an “abundance of possessions” that are useless and meaningless to us at our death. If we are “rich toward God” and treasure Jesus and our spiritual growth, we live for God’s glory and the good of others. God calls us to share our gifts with those in need.
In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “And God is
able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:6-15) God blesses us, and we can be a blessing to others. If you have been blessed with material wealth, then use it to “be rich toward God.”
We must ask ourselves what it is that we treasure, the world or God? Do we live and love like Jesus? When we honour God with what we have
been given, the blessings will increase to honour God even more. Greed makes us worry and destroys us. Generosity blesses us.
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
