Paintbrush & Moneybags

October 25, 2021

Scripture

Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’  Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’…... give to the poor. Provide moneybags for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail. (Luke 12:13-15,33 NIVUK)

Paintbrush & Moneybags

He is a faithful paintbrush, and when I pulled him from his storage place, he was ready to cut around trim and paint edges. I bought this brush many years ago and with care he still fits my hand and his purpose beautifully. I gave thanks for the ache in my old hands from painting as I wrote in my journal and for a good paintbrush.

That morning I also noticed Jesus using a few phrases which contributed to the title for this wee missive. There is plenty of strong opinion about what the great moral issues are today but Jesus on this one occasion gets at our attitude to wealth. Greed fuels our economic engine and competition inside a family business is in our news these days.

While competing and profiting we can easily be distracted from the Divine heart for those who are losing in our society’s competition for resources. They aren’t losers, just poor. My late friend Barrie used to say often “Remember there are no pockets on shrouds,” or money bags as Jesus describes it.

Our abundance of possessions can possess us and as our investments grow our eternal investments may be in decline. To be ready to be usefully employed, like my paintbrush, the Good God only requires us to love and give generously.

A Prayer for Today

Good God, our gratitude rises to you today for your kindness and generosity to us. Thank you for taking us when you need us, like my old paint brush, and putting us to work for the good of our world and in obedience to our Lord Jesus. Let generosity, not greed, be our empowering character trait …… for Jesus’ sake