Links for today’s readings:
Mar 4 Read: Proverbs 23 Listen: (3:39) Read: Mark 13 Listen: (4:32)
Scripture Focus: Proverbs 23:4-5
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Reflection: The Rat Race
By Erin Newton
When pressed to find a suitable cultural reference for the idea of “wealth isn’t everything,” my mind immediately went to Christmas stories: The Christmas Carol (admittedly, the muppet version) and It’s a Wonderful Life. But looking for a good one-liner, I think of Harry Bailey who says: “A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town!” George has just had an epiphany about what brings value to life, and his friends and family rallied to keep him from financial destitution.
During a season beset with giving and generosity, such movies keep the “spirit” going. We are reminded that giving is good. But once the new year rolls around, we are back at it—the rat race. The “American Dream” is built on the idea of working hard and building wealth. Of course, many of us are probably not in any sort of space where our savings are increasing. Right now, making ends meet is about as good as it gets.
Struggling to have enough to live is exhausting. It is not hard to identify the various ways our lives would be easier if we had bigger inflow of income. We might read this verse and scoff, “Not my problem!” Who is really prospering right now? Believe me, I get it.
But the drive to try to be wealthy might be something we do struggle with. Wanting to afford things for ourselves and our families is not inherently bad. But if we are single-mindedly trying to gain and gain and gain, we are likely to burn out.
My husband recently said, “What if a little is enough?” He told me about a business model that used a shopping center for local businesses. The spaces were rented out in increments depending on the needs of the entrepreneurs. The idea was to avoid the larger box stores or franchises and keep expenses low. “Just enough for what they need to use.”
Just enough.
Where can we let go of the weary pursuit of building wealth and settle for “just enough”? What can we gain by stepping back?
The proverb says that money is fleeting. Money is easy to spend. Investments can be easily de-valued. Heirlooms can depreciate. Precious jewels can be lost. Our satisfaction is often a moving goalpost.
Jesus came to give us life to the fullest. Don’t waste it yearning for earnings. Know when you have enough and then stop.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your heart.
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Watch
Jesus says many similar things in this passage: watch, beware, keep watch, be on guard, be alert, stay awake, be ready. He never says, “predict.”
Read more: Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?
Let us be drawn to Christ, frequently putting our feet under his table and inviting others to join us.