30 March 2022
By Rev Kenneth Mtata
Today’s readings
Psalm 53;
2 Kings 4:1-7;
Luke 9:10-17
Verses of the day
“She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your children can live on the rest” (2 Kings 4:7).
The story in 2 Kings 4:1-7 is one of a wido whose husband died and left her in debt. Those owed money came to take his sons to sell them as slaves in order to settle the debt. She cried to Elisha, and he helped her to pay her debt with enough left overs to live on. The story in Luke 9:10-17 is one in which large crowds have been following Jesus and they must go home now but they are hungry. They must be fed but there is no enough food. After organizing them, Jesus provides enough food for them until “all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces” (Luke 9:17). What is the secret of this situation of abundance?
The first secre of abundant economy is IN SHARING. It is important to remember that all things belong to God. We are only stewards of God’s economy. As such, we must be on the lookout so that they is no one who is need among us. Our effort must be to make sure that no one is poor, and no one is vulnerable. Sometimes we take people out of poverty by sending their children to school, sometimes by helping them to come out of their debt trap. According to ways with which God has blessed us, we must seek to remove someone from poverty by sharing what we have.
The second secret of abundance is making sure we build strong economies to cater for all people. We must be aware that family economies very much reflect national economies. If there is greed at national level, some families will be affected . If there is corruption in the public sphere, individuals who want a driver’s license, a stand to build a house, a place at the university, or get a business tender may be forced to participate in the corruption. It is therefore in the Christian interest to contribute to the building of a clean and thriving national economy. Such an economy must respect hard work not under hand dealings.
The third secret of abundant economy is one in which individuals are able SAVE, to have enough for each day and days to come. In such sustainable economies, individuals have more than they need so that they can care for those who are in need. It is one anticipated by the prayer of Proverbs 30:8-9 is relevant: “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” It is the economy in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us today our daily bread!"
Such an economic vision requires God’s people to work towards. To do that they must (a) get organised, (b) reclaim work as vocation or calling, (c) reject exploitation, and (d) pray for God's blessings. Sustainable personal economies allow individuals to take care of themselves until they are too old to work. As God continues to bless us, we must work towards God's jubilee economy that frees people from poverty. The early church was known for collective economy that sought to eradicate poverty in its midst. This is a heavenly vision we must have as God’s people. Jesus came so that we can have life and have it in abundance (John 10.10).
Prayer
God, I pray that you keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. In Jesus' name I pray.
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