Rich towards God

Our team meets every morning from 8:00-8:30am for a time of reading/reflecting on a Bible passage & then praying together. It could be seen as really burdensome to those who aren't so spiritually inclined & even to those who are, spending every morning doing 'church' can be a bit much. That's where I often find myself, in the latter group. But I have to admit that there is something about starting your day out recognizing that the work we're about & life in general is less about me and more about joining God in His work for justice here on earth.

We've been working our way through Luke and the most recent passages have been the commonly quoted ones about storing up treasure in heaven. Literally, not allowing material possessions both to be your goal in life and to be your source of worry and anxiety. That all we gain here on earth can pass away in an instant, what truly matters when all of that is swept away is our soul and how we live the life we've been given.

It's interesting sitting and talking through these truths with people who have such a different culture, but add to that the society of surplus that I come from as opposed to the scarcity here. Material wealth takes on a whole new meaning in this context for me. It's less about deciding to purchase a sedan or an SUV and more about how to pay for a bus ticket to get to the next big city to stand in line for hours to turn in paperwork to receive a card that shows you're registered in the country and can therefore receive a salary & will then pay taxes on your salary which will all take at least 3 days which includes lodging and food which cost money...you see where I'm going? I sat across from one of the guys on our staff today who explained to me that the document I need for our files that allow us to pay him will require all that I said above & therefore he needs a salary advance to pay for such a trip. This isn't about saving & thinking ahead, this is about survival. This man doesn't go out and drink every night - he's a very hard worker and so dedicated. Yet, he wouldn't have the money to pay for that 'simple' trip until he receives the wages we'll pay him...

Yet, in our conversations, my friends seem to get it, maybe better than I do. Its about valuing God & His ways above the things of this world. Being "rich towards God" - I hope to learn more about this as I get to know the hearts of His people here. My prayer is that though I stick out as white, therefore RICH, here that my wealth will be known as love.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Lord, provide food, shelter, clothing, health and PEACE to your people.