Discouraged? Read this . . .
Back in 1973 E F Schumacher wrote a best seller called Small is Beautiful: a study
of economics as if people mattered which I read with great
interest. Schumacher was a minimalist, that’s for sure. More than that,
however, he was also right. Small is not only beautiful but it is Biblical as
well. Take for instance when Jesus declared—
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the Kingdom.”
(Matt.5:3)
(Matt.5:3)
In other words, pride won't cut it in the Kingdom. Pump your ego
up with all the positive self-help pep that you wish and you are still at
square one as far as God is concerned.
The Beatitudes intended to deflate our puffed up ego, don’t they? In other words, Jesus was saying in the verse quoted above, ‘You think you are a hot shot? Well, you’re not. Get rid of all that hot air, and only then will you be ready for the kingdom.”
In other words, ‘You want to be great? Then, become small for small is beautiful.’
In case one objects, just consider that before Jesus himself became great, he became small. “He emptied himself,” Paul says in Philippians, “and took on the very nature of a servant.” (Phil. 2:7)
Jesus was saying to the world in essence that small is beautiful.
Interestingly enough, however, for most, including most Christians, the rule of thumb is ‘more is better, and more than that is great. I need all I can get!’ There comes a point in most men’s life, however, that needs subtly morph into greed; and unlike old wine, greed does not improve over time.
Now, mind you, greed comes in all shapes and forms. The most severe form and harmful at that is documentary series on A&E called “The Hoarders”, which portrays the real-life struggles and treatment of people who suffer from compulsive hoarding.
‘That’s not greed’ I hear someone protest, that’s a mental illness. True, but chances are it did not start out that way, it developed over time. And, furthermore, if it is not a choice they make—compulsive or not; why then do they respond to counseling intervention? Really in some ways these poor souls are no worse off than billionaires cutting billion dollar contracts and amassing manipulative fortunes that can even make congress dance to their tune. Nothing satisfies them. There’s never enough. Nothing wrong with wealth, mind you. But, we will however, be judged on how well we manage it. ‘To whom must is given, much is required’ is as true today as it was the day Jesus spoke the words.
Life is all about choices, isn't it?
I am yours for the journey,
The Beatitudes intended to deflate our puffed up ego, don’t they? In other words, Jesus was saying in the verse quoted above, ‘You think you are a hot shot? Well, you’re not. Get rid of all that hot air, and only then will you be ready for the kingdom.”
In other words, ‘You want to be great? Then, become small for small is beautiful.’
In case one objects, just consider that before Jesus himself became great, he became small. “He emptied himself,” Paul says in Philippians, “and took on the very nature of a servant.” (Phil. 2:7)
Jesus was saying to the world in essence that small is beautiful.
Interestingly enough, however, for most, including most Christians, the rule of thumb is ‘more is better, and more than that is great. I need all I can get!’ There comes a point in most men’s life, however, that needs subtly morph into greed; and unlike old wine, greed does not improve over time.
Now, mind you, greed comes in all shapes and forms. The most severe form and harmful at that is documentary series on A&E called “The Hoarders”, which portrays the real-life struggles and treatment of people who suffer from compulsive hoarding.
‘That’s not greed’ I hear someone protest, that’s a mental illness. True, but chances are it did not start out that way, it developed over time. And, furthermore, if it is not a choice they make—compulsive or not; why then do they respond to counseling intervention? Really in some ways these poor souls are no worse off than billionaires cutting billion dollar contracts and amassing manipulative fortunes that can even make congress dance to their tune. Nothing satisfies them. There’s never enough. Nothing wrong with wealth, mind you. But, we will however, be judged on how well we manage it. ‘To whom must is given, much is required’ is as true today as it was the day Jesus spoke the words.
Life is all about choices, isn't it?
I am yours for the journey,
Jim R/
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