Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34; 8:20 and Acts 3:1-10
Jesus lived a life of simplicity that was free of the craving after riches and material possessions. He urged this lifestyle upon his followers. The rapacious greed, rampant materialism and wanton exercise of power of his day and ours has always resulted in wide disparities in wealth, in the oppression of whole segments of society, and the need to use military force to protect the vested material interests of the rich and powerful. Jesus knew this and urged a different lifestyle and a new community of people. Jesus did not simply provide a critique about the failings of the social systems he found around himself – he showed people an alternative way to live and be. At its best, the Christian community is just such a community of love, justice, mercy and compassion in the world.
