Jesus dropped a lot of heavy truths for us to ponder. Here’s one: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” A little later in the same teaching Jesus says, “Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.”
Throughout his life and teaching, Jesus works over and over to teach his disciples, and us, that there is more to life than stuff and worldly “security.” He all but promises that if we follow him, it’s very likely we won’t have a lot of stuff or security, in the ways the world defines it. At a time of economic unrest, political uncertainty and spiritual division in our nation, these quaint little sayings of Jesus may feel hollow. But what if they’re more important now than ever? What is the heart of Jesus’ teachings on all this that might have something to say for us today?
Put the Kingdom first in your heart and everything else works out.
There’s no promises of wealth, ease or comfort. What then, is this Kingdom? Perhaps it’s best to describe it with the words we have been given. It is full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control, selflessness, generosity, justice, humility, mercy, grace – the list is long and beautiful.
The Kingdom of God is now, and eternal. We live it now, on Earth as in Heaven, when we live into these words. And when we do, we will find that no matter our position or possessions, because we belong to the King of this Kingdom, we are rich in all the right ways. For “where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.” And when we treasure, or highly value, the ways of the Kingdom, our hearts will live there. And it is there that we are truly at home, and our souls will find their truest rest.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joel
