What a Wonderful World That Would Be

Scripture Reading - 2 Cor. 8:13-15 "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written , He that had gathered much had nothing over ; and he that had gathered little had no lack ."

When I think of how God intended for us to live and how we actually do live, I cannot believe how far the two are apart. We seem to hear very little about these scriptures that would be uncomfortable to people, especially those who have been greatly blessed materially and financially. In our American culture the norm seems to be gain and put back as much as you can, it is a dog eat dog jungle out there and it seems that the church is not immune from it. As I read today's scripture reading of the practice of equality that God commands us , I know of very few families that actually live that way, and the attitude of equality is even less prevalent in the church, and the the thought of living in equality with our neighbors is non existent. Why are Christians like this? Do we only adhere to the commands in the Word that we want to do. Do we allow ourselves to block out scriptures and not talk about the verses that are threatening to our "stuff", you know the things we have worked so hard for, that we have earned? The key is to come to the realization that nothing is ours, it all comes from Christ and it all belongs to Christ.

Can you imagine a world in which we all live equal. When you have an abundance, you share with those who have areas of lack. When they have an abundance, they share with others (which may include you) who have areas of lack in their lives. The practice of freely you have received, freely give is one charterer trait that is greatly missing in the lives of most people. I can remember several years back when myself and a group of my friends practiced this principle. My best friend Drew had a job that tied up most of his evenings. The times that usually opened up to minister to others and to get together to pray conflicted with the time he had to work. So, many times we would go and help him do his job in order that he could join us in the different areas of ministry that God would open up for us. He was limited in time by his job, so we helped him gain some time. Meanwhile, I have a job in which I work most of the daylight hours. The time for me to get a lot of my yard work, mowing and trimming, is very limited. I have to usually put it off until the weekend. There was a problem with that because every other week we would go to a juvenile detention center to minister. But, I would come from work many times to find my friend Drew, who had his early afternoons free, mowing my grass or trimming weeds. We helped each other which is what God wants us to do.

If you are experiencing a time of abundance in your life, share with those who are in need. If you are in need, accept assistance from others, for in refusing you sometimes resist the very help that God sends you. Do not be too proud. Meditate on the scripture reading for today and ask yourself, am I living the way God wants me to live according to this passage. Greed and selfishness have no place in the kingdom of God.

Be Blessed and Live in the NOW!!!