I love the way JohnGriffiths7 makes his videos to comment on the verse of the day. I seem to be fearful of lots of things, but he just shares himself and his faith and we are all blessed and enriched by it. He seems to be echoing Jesus’s words to me, Do not be afraid, little flock.  Thank you John, and thank you God for reassuring me. A purse that does not wear out, indeed.

Again Jesus exhorts his disciples not to be afraid.  Those close to Jesus were coming to see the downside of following him.  Jesus would not use his power to sweep them to victory and an earthly paradise.  On the contrary, he was leading them into physical danger, and probably into earthly defeat.  Jesus now demands even more.  “Sell what you have and give alms.  Let go your grip on this world, stand firm with me whatever the cost and God will give you inexhaustible treasures in the world to come – God will give you the very kingdom.”

In countries such as ours the State provides so much, that we tend to accept that as the norm. That ought to make it easier to help others. It is worth remembering that in other countries charges are levied at all levels of education and for any medical service. It is not surprising therefore that there are so many without the basics. May we act accordingly.

Money-wise: it seemed radical 40 years ago when we started to give proportionately & we still do that. Unfortunately our church’s radical change was to stop its charitable giving as funds fell. So we spread our own giving wider, to embrace other secular & faith-based charities.

Possessions-wise: we don’t have lots of expensive possessions, but the most radical change we need to make in our lives is to de-clutter our house of things we don’t need, but keep ‘just in case’; this could benefit others, make our lives simpler now & save our children a big task when we die!

We are so concerned with “the looking good factor” today that we forget there are many who cannot even afford the basic essentials of life.  If we stopped to think about whether we really need the latest pair of shoes or fashion item and gave the money to charity instead, we would feel so much better knowing that if we do it for the least of these our brethren, we do it for Jesus.

We need to be vary wary of getting caught up with earthly riches, and in doing so we become blind to the real treasure offered to us from God.

If only we all knew what is being offered, our churches would be overflowing with people clamoring to get in.