wealth, poverty & wisdom
by ryan
As the ‘economy’ in the United States struggles and as the country plunges deeper and deeper into debt, many are wondering what they can trust in. We don’t think wealth is the answer. There is an old Hebrew proverb that reads:
Those who trust in their wealth are headed for great disappointment,
but those who do right will sprout like green leaves.
בֹּוטֵ֣חַ בְּ֭עָשְׁרֹו ה֣וּא יִפֹּ֑ל וְ֝כֶעָלֶ֗ה צַדִּיקִ֥ים יִפְרָֽחוּ׃
We don’t trust in ourselves anymore either. And we don’t believe the government can solve our biggest problems. Ironically, American currency reads,
In God we trust.
Many Americans don’t trust in God, but we do. Which means we don’t worry when economies collapse or even when empires fall. Jesus helps us with this. He says don’t worry about the basic necessities of life because God knows what we need and he is looking out for us.
Instead, he encourages us to look after others’ needs. Instead of worrying about ourselves, we get to join God in taking care of people. Imagine a world where we completely forsake pursuing our own financial security and only seek the good of our neighbors in need. Imagine a world where instead of exploiting the poor, the poor are cherished.
Jesus says when we care for the poor we are caring for him; when we neglect the poor, we neglect him.
Ryan & Jordan 