Our church had it's bi-annual rummage sale last week. Oh, my goodness, the stuff! Most of the items are priced at $1.00 or less, with a very few things at $2-3.00. In two and a half days they made more than $2200, and sent over 4000 pounds of leftovers to a mission in Omaha. As I sat and looked at the accumulation, some of which came from 4 estates, a George Carlin routine kept running through my head. He lamented our accumulation of stuff, and our need to have bigger houses, and even storage units, to accommodate our stuff. The sale helps people who really need it, but oh, the piles of stuff!
Jesus once told a story about a rich man who brought in such a large harvest that he could not possibly use it all. His response was to build bigger barns to hold it all, but that night he died, and what then happened to all that grain? I'm not saying that if he had chosen to share his abundance with those in need he would not have died, but maybe he would have died with a lighter heart.
Loving God, today we pray not for those who have not, but for those who have too much. It is difficult to give up our abundance because we consistently think of the what-ifs, and decide we need to keep it for ourselves. But we need to remember that all our abundance comes from you and belongs to you, and as such is not for us to hold onto, but to share with those who need it. Today we also lift up our sisters and brothers in South Carolina who are struggling to recover from their horrible flood. Grant them your courage, your comfort, and your presence in these difficult days, and open the hearts of the rest of us to respond to their need......Amen
Jesus once told a story about a rich man who brought in such a large harvest that he could not possibly use it all. His response was to build bigger barns to hold it all, but that night he died, and what then happened to all that grain? I'm not saying that if he had chosen to share his abundance with those in need he would not have died, but maybe he would have died with a lighter heart.
Loving God, today we pray not for those who have not, but for those who have too much. It is difficult to give up our abundance because we consistently think of the what-ifs, and decide we need to keep it for ourselves. But we need to remember that all our abundance comes from you and belongs to you, and as such is not for us to hold onto, but to share with those who need it. Today we also lift up our sisters and brothers in South Carolina who are struggling to recover from their horrible flood. Grant them your courage, your comfort, and your presence in these difficult days, and open the hearts of the rest of us to respond to their need......Amen
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