20

October

The disorder of our hearts

“Simplicity is not just about limiting clutter in our homes; it’s primarily about reducing the disorder of our hearts.  It’s a commitment to prioritizing the way of Jesus.”- Rich Villodas

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”- Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV)

Rich Villodas concludes Chapter 8 of The Narrow Path with his second and third suggestions for what it takes to kneel before Jesus in regard to money.

2. Simplicity.  Certainly, Rich notes, we find simplicity difficult.  Yet, it purifies us.  Hence, to gain the freedom of God we need to let go of the clutter in our hearts.  As Dale Bruner once said:

“Jesus counsels us to make it our ambition to be a success before the Father, . . .  to accumulate the rewards and treasures of his notice and esteem.”

3.  Sabbath economics.  The author sees the habit of pausing from work as a subversive revolt against the money god.  Above all, the Sabbath creates conditions where everyone can rest from the tyranny of work.

However, Rich considers the Sabbath as much about resistance as it is about rest.  Because the Sabbath resists a culture that works people to death.  A process that takes advantage of their labor.

As Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann wrote in Sabbath as Resistance (2017):

“The way of mammon (capital, wealth) is the way of commodity, which is the way of endless desire, endless productivity, and endless restlessness without any Sabbath. . . .  The ‘choice of gods’ is, in context, a choice of restlessness or restfulness.”

Hence, Rich notes, in keeping the Sabbath, we choose to orient our lives around the God who gives rest.  Not a god (mammon) who keeps us restless.  We all long for ease over restlessness.  Only Jesus offers this to us.  Therefore, use money for good.  Rather than letting money use you.

Today’s question: How can we best reduce the disorder of our hearts?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the October Short Meditation, “Our great heritage – God’s Word

About the author 

Dave Henning

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