3rd September 2018

I’m always amazed by the love and joy that is found among those who have very little. A recent holiday to Thailand, particularly to some of the poorest areas, revealed to me the stark contrast between the attitudes of those who have little and those who have much.

Often, if we consider ourselves to have much, we realise our poverty in other senses when we are surrounded by those with little wealth and material belongings. I encountered such warmth, hospitality, love and genuine joy that is often not found among the so-called ‘rich’ or wealthy.

The psalmist speaks of the desire of the human heart to always want more. Often, those who want more only want it for the sake of having more: there is only so much a full barn can do for one person, and only so many sheep that can be eaten at any one time. If we want more, do we want more for the right reason? As Christians, having more only makes sense so that everyone might have their fair share. Otherwise it is simply greed.

Dear God, thank you for your innumerable blessings. Help me to desire the right things in my life, and to share all that I have with others.

Amen.