Must We Always Return to Money?

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”  They said to him, “That would take almost a year´s wages!  Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?  Mark 6:37 (TNIV)

Here we go again!  Over and over we stumble over the same mistakes.  When, oh when, will we learn?  The Disciples are not the only ones to bring everything back to whether or not we can pay for it.  We are in this same boat.  But for all the healthy bailing we do, we still refuse to seal the hole and float out in faith.

How many times did Jesus try to get us to turn our attention from the monetary value of things?  What was His reaction to it?  Did Jesus lie awake at nights worrying where they would find the money to continue their ministry or even just get by?  If He is our Standard and our example, why don´t we stop with all of our fuss over it?

The realistic view is that there are many things that need to be paid for.  However, we are not in a realistic game when it comes to religion.  The insistent world would have us make it that, but what is real?  Is what we call real, merely the things we see around us, touch, taste, feel and smell?  Can´t we see that a big part of Jesus´ ministry was to elevate our awareness that there is a reality greater than all of this?

Where is our faith?  What is faith?  Where does it come from and how do we get it?  The answer, like all else does not fall to something inside of us.  It is something, or better said, Someone greater.  It may affect us greatly, but it is not something we possess in our natural state.  Therefore it only belongs to us as it is given to us.  And rather than defining faith, we would want to become familiar with its practical use as pertaining to us.  That we need it we may agree.  But more than agreeing are we looking to have some of it working in our lives.

First we must consider where faith comes from.  The Source is God, and His Son who would intercede and petition that it be given to those inclined to seek it.  That brings us to our awareness that we even need it.  As with the first step, here we may falter if we fail to sufficiently digest the concepts and make them a part of us.  Therefore much effort should be given by each believer to work closely with the Holy Spirit to make these finding personally.  From there we may then move on to actively seeking to have it given to us.  As it is such a precious commodity, it cannot be given by casual mishap.  It must be deliberately sought.

So for us or the Disciples to lift our earthly eyes above our surroundings and situations we face, and exercise an all-important healthy faith, we must lean on stronger shoulders.  But for those who love the Lord, this is a blessed task.  Happily we exchange faith in our ways, our reality and rest our gaze firmly upon the One from above.  The magic occurs not when we are focusing upon the issue at hand but rather when we cease to do just that.  When we look away from us and unto Him, Stars line in their courses, people get healed, people get fed and people get saved.

Dear Lord, forgive us when money or our situation stands up and blocks our sight of You.  Guard us against the temptation to let our eyes cloud with those things.  Steel our gaze and increase our desire to keep that gaze on You at all times.  We might not have faith sufficient for each moment. The world would crowd out our vision.  But by the help You can provide in strength, determination, will and desire, we may see past all this and look harder at You.  With this insistent gaze, we may be worthy recipients of the most valuable gift.  Please send us, the priceless gift of faith.

Amen