Today’s scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
I recently read the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger as part of a class I’m taking. I’ve never thought of myself as rich, and having been out of work for the last year because of a back injury, I certainly don’t now.
But I tell you, compared to about 2 billion people around the world, I am unbelievably wealthy. While millions have no shoes, I can wear a different pair each day of the week. While millions have to walk to get anywhere, I have a bike and a car, and can afford taxi or bus fare if it comes to that. While millions don’t own a single book, and might not even have the opportunity to learn to read, I have hundreds of books. While a billion or more people go hungry for lack of even rice and clean water to prepare it, I have so much that I have to go on a diet to lose weight.
Am I thankful for all I have? Of course I am! God has given me more than I need, and certainly more than I deserve. I am thankful beyond words. But I also feel something else. I feel ashamed.
I’m ashamed that my country flaunts its consumerism while we give so little to people around the world who need it the most. Did you know that our percentage of charitable giving was higher during the great depression than it is now? I’m ashamed that our country will spend $651 billion (to date) on a war when so many of our own people go without adequate healthcare. (FYI, $651 billion is enough to provide over 289 million children with health care for one year!) I’m personally ashamed that I have accumulated more than one television, computer and stereo, but have never committed to the relatively minor $24 a month it would take to sponsor a Christian Children’s Fund child.
So this Thanksgiving season, instead of just thanking God for all that I’ve been given, I’m going to begin using some of my excess to change the great inequality that exists between me and much of the rest of the world. If my surplus can’t be given directly to help someone, than maybe I can sell it and use the proceeds to help folks whose need is greater than my own. And going forward, I’m going to aggressively resist the urge to accumulate more than I need.
Instead of indulgence, I will take joy in knowing that I’m making someone else’s life a little bit better. And soon, maybe I’ll even be able to sponsor a CCF child!
Thought for the day: Am I blessed, or spoiled? Is accumulating and stockpiling a proper response to God’s blessings?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.