18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
This is the cure for those who are obsessed money, either getting it or preserving it. Our lives are to be centered on the Lord. Notice that the focus of this verse is outward, toward other people. Those with wealth have a tendency to focus on themselves and preserving their wealth. They worry about money just as much as many poor do. They worry about losing it, the poor about gaining it. The antidote to self-absorption is to focus on others. We are to do good. These are acts that reflect the gracious character of the Lord. We are to be rich in these types of acts. Our lives should be overflowing with kindnesses toward others. The wealthier we are, the more we are to be giving and meeting the physical needs of others. God does not give us wealth for us to consume it all on ourselves. He gives us money so that we can pass it along to others. When we have, we are to look around and find those who are in need, and meet that need. I know that this can sound like a foreign language to those of us who were raised here in the United States. We have been bombarded since childhood with the message of consumption and dissatisfaction. We are told that we need the latest and greatest, and if we don’t get the latest and greatest, we will be left out. Planned obsolescence is not just a business strategy, but a way to view our possessions. If it is old, then it must be replaced with something new. We are taught that we don’t need to take care of what we have, because we can just go get another one. Repair has become almost impossible for most items. It is often cheaper to purchase a new one rather than repair the old one. Beside, the new one has so many new features that we must have. Share today!
The Arnold Journey 