Today’s Reflection
The kingdom of God is the kingdom of enough. It shouldn’t be a surprise that there is enough food, water, and shelter for everyone on the planet. In the United States alone, there are enough unoccupied houses—second, third, or vacation homes—to give every unhoused person on our streets multiple homes. And we are still arguing about whether it is a good idea or a wasteful handout to make sure children get lunch at school whether they can pay or not, even though approximately a third of the food produced in the United States goes to waste.
People do not have enough despite there being enough, because we serve wealth and not God. Thus, as we consider shifting our service to God, we start by noticing our attachment to money and begin to pay attention to the reality of enough. . . . We are talking about collective action that can allow us to become part of communities that share and live the reality of abundance.
—Daniel Wolpert, “Let’s Talk about Money: The Practice of Serving God,” in Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today’s Question
How might we begin to practice being in God’s service in tangible economic ways? [question from Looking Inward, Living Outward] Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
—Matthew 6:24 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Help me to order my life around you, O God, and guide me to social action that manifests the beloved community—your kingdom on earth. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
In his revelatory new book, Looking Inward, Living Outward, popular spiritual leader Daniel Wolpert calls us back to a life of prayer and core specific spiritual practices that re-orient our gaze outward in acts of social transformation. Learn more and order your copy here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
Advocate for and vote for candidates that support helping those in need, establishing policies that distribute food and other basic necessities to everyone. A beautiful day here in NH. A good day to work onh the deck. Thank You, Lord
Amen, Robert. Thank you.
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