Saturday, October 11, 2014

Wealth and Humility

"Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance." Phil 4:12

I am a very rich man. I am in good health. I am very well educated. I live in a home with running water, electricity, heat in the winter and room air conditioners in the summer. We have computers and television. We have a full kitchen, and indoor plumbing. We eat each day without worrying whether we can afford the meal. I have a car for my use and enough money to put gas in it. I can go to a doctor when I am sick and pay for medication when I need it.

Unfortunately, like most people in the developed world, I often take all of this for granted, and even feel entitled. If the phone does not work for two days, I might threaten the service provider with switching to another company. You get the idea. I have been given so much that when I read today’s passage from St Paul, I realize that my one task is to stay awake in gratitude and too often I am asleep, even to the gift of faith.

When we stop to notice, acknowledge and offer a word of gratitude for whatever and whomever comes to us each day, we are different. We are rich and as Jesus reminds us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” Don’t be afraid of this warning. Be grateful for the gifts you have been given, and share them generously. God gives us all the strength to live our faith and give it away with joy and exuberance.

Today, make an inventory of all you have been given and take five minutes of silence to sit with your gifts in gratitude.

What gets in the way of being grateful everyday for everything? 

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