Rest for Your Souls: Money & Possessions
Several weeks ago I saw an online reel showing a well known coffee shop’s employees throwing away unopened food containers at the end of their shift. The excessive amount of edible food becoming trash shocked me. The next day, another reel documenting a landfill in a Chilean desert horrified me again. This literal mountain of clothing discarded by the fast fashion industry can be seen by satellite photo from space. It is just one of many landfills growing daily.
During his famous Sermon on the Mount teaching, Jesus reminded his followers not to worry about their basic needs because God, their creator and heavenly Father, would take care of them. Jesus drew their attention to the nature surrounding them. If God provides food for birds and clothes the wildflowers with beauty, will he not also sufficiently provide for people made in his own image? Of course he will! (Read Matthew 6:25-34 for yourself.)
Alabaster Jar serves a warm meal to women each week at their Cafe Outreach event.
If you live in Berlin as I do, you see both poverty and wealth in juxtaposition every day. I assume, however, if you have the opportunity to read this input online right now, you probably do not fear inadequate provision for your daily needs.
You and I probably enjoy the convenience and privilege of having food, drink, clothing, and shelter in abundance. The words of Jesus seem easier to receive if we do not experience food insecurity or houseless-ness.
Yet, I believe Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 comfort everyone regardless of our current life or financial situation. This loving reminder encourages us to trust our heavenly provider for whatever we need.
At the same time, Jesus’ teaching challenges us to reevaluate what we think we need and redirect the desires of our hearts all together. Look what Jesus said right before he encouraged us not to worry about our basic needs:
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (verse 24).
Do we strive for more anxious we won’t have enough, when God already promised to give us exactly what we need?
Do we serve our money or use our resources to serve God?
Do we enjoy the abundance of God’s provision but then hoard it or even throw it away?
If God meets our needs, then what can we do to share that provision with others?
Alabaster Jar also offers a free clothing closet to women in need of clothing and other basic supplies.
If you feel overwhelmed by the desperate needs of people and environmental issues across the globe, then start by focusing on specific needs in your city. Organizations working to care, heal, and protect already exist and could use your support. Community Church partners each month with Alabaster Jar as they use food and clothing to restore dignity to women in forced prostitution. They are one of many groups extending God’s love and provision in Berlin.
How can we act as God’s hand of provision for those who do not yet have their basic needs met?
This week, may we recognize our abundance and meet the needs of those around us. As we “seek the Kingdom of God” we can trust him to give us exactly what we need (Matthew 6:33).
Join us at our next Explore the Bible event as we continue to discuss the teachings of Jesus.