Living in the Spirit
August 5, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 

Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. — Genesis 37:26-28

The first murder reported in the Bible is brother killing brother, Cain killing Abel. Animosity, jealousy, and, in the case of Joseph the favoritism of a parent, leads to totally dysfunctional behavior. God in God’s wisdom, however, commanded us to love and love only exists in relationship with God or with others. Love is as necessary as food or water. When we continually substitute lesser things for love our response is always dysfunctional. Love God and live. Jesus said in John 10:10b, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

 I don’t think 20 pieces of silver equaled abundance for Joseph’s brothers. I’m sure they realized that over the next several years starting with facing their father’s immediate grief. But what is meant by having life abundantly? The translators might have used any one of three other words to describe the type of life Jesus wishes for all: fully, amply, and plentifully. Fully could be understood to mean enough, but the other three words imply a sense of more than enough.

I have had the privilege of working on various justice issues with a wise retired couple, Mennonites, who when buying something for themselves, buy the same thing for someone else. If they get a new TV they buy two alike and give the other away. If they get new clothing, they do the same. They live abundantly. Such a practice would serve two purposes for me. It would make me consider how much I really needed those big ticket items and it would help me develop a more generous spirit.  I am not there yet, but I’m working on it.

I fear, in a world that emphasizes a prosperity gospel the meaning of abundantly turns us inward, toward self-satisfaction rather than outwardly toward building the Kingdom of God where all live abundantly as my friends are doing.

Prayer: Forgive me when I place things above you. Help me to order my life so that I love as you love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.