|
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Thursday, July 24, 2003 "You Cannot Live by Bread Alone" |
|
Frontline Devotion for Thursday, July 24, 2003 by Fritz Foltz
The two passages are related. In Matthew Jesus reminds us that we cannot live by bread alone. Instead we live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. In John he claims he is the bread of life. If we come to him we shall never hunger or thirst again.
Nothing about Jesus’ ministry speaks against the material necessities of life. He calls us to make sure everyone has his or her share of them. But he does caution us that there is more to life than these. A truly satisfying life also feeds on God’s Word.
Living in a society that probably has more material benefits that any that has gone before it and perhaps more than most that shall follow after it, we have to be careful in listening to Jesus’ words.
My wife and I belong to a religious company that tries to practice a common discipline. We are such a motley crew that it is hard to agree on what that discipline should be. One afternoon maybe 15 years ago the 40 of us sat down and worked out a lifestyle we felt was a contemporary understanding of Jesus’ teaching. Although it is geared for the kind of people in our group, it can stimulate all of us to give thought about our own guide lines.
1. Live well below your economic peers
2. Live as tenants of a small fragile planet
3. Pay attention to beauty
4. Be generous
5. Avoid waste
6. Do nothing from prestige alone
7. Delink from the worlds value systems
8. Make a real, contemporary, Christian community your reference point.
9. Choose productive, non-violent vocations
10. Practice “fasting” or reducing one’s needs or wants.
I think it is interesting that at least 4 of the 10 points,#1,#4,#5, and #10, have to do with the economic and material parts of life. Whenever I read them I remember we cannot live by bread alone.
Let us pray: Almighty God, our Loving Father, open our hearts and minds as well as our mouths that we might find satisfaction in doing your will. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily.. They will also be posted to the web site if you want to direct others to our web site for more information. Sign up by clicking on the box below
All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.