On Being Rich

Who wouldn't want to be rich?

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. - 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Why is it that we feel we need to have more than the clothes on our back and something good to eat?

Somewhere between being filthy rich and having nothing more than the clothes we wear is where most of us live.  We probably don't consider ourselves rich by any means, and yet we are richer than some.

And I am sure each of us has an idea what the absolute minimum we feel someone should have to sustain himself.  Food and clothing are just the beginning.  A place to live is important too.

And yet for the one who has nothing, a place to live is a luxury, a sign of being rich.

When Jesus sent his disciples out, he didn't tell them to avoid the things they lacked, but to accept them from those they met, should they be offered.

So, those who had more than just the clothes on their backs were not told they should give up what they had, but they were provided an opportunity to share.

If they refused, the disciples went on their way, but if they offered a place to stay and a meal, they stayed.

This is what we do every day, we share what we have with those who have less, and we do it by inviting them to table with us, just as those who invited in the disciples did.

So, to me, the people who come to the soup kitchen each day are like those sent out by Jesus.

When we accept them, we accept Him who sent them.

We serve them, yes, but we also talk with them and get to know them.  Then we wish them well when they go on their way.

We would love to do more for them, and perhaps with help from others who want to do the same, we will be able to do that.  But what is important is that we share out of love and seek for others merely what they wish for themselves.

In that way, we are all made a little richer.

More to come...