Living in the Spirit

September 22, 2022

Scripture Reading:

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. –1 Timothy 6:6-10

I think the pandemic of greed that has overtaken our world is much more serious than any health pandemic. Greed is surely a part of why the COVID virus has been so devastating. The cost of healthcare in the USA is higher than in any other industrialized nation*. We rank last in quality of care**.  We have pierced ourselves with many pains to maintain our quest for wealth.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see the world as it is for all people, not just the wealthy few. Amen.

*https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/health-spending-u-s-compare-countries-2/#Health%20consumption%20expenditures%20per%20capita,%20U.S.%20dollars,%20PPP%20adjusted,%202020%20or%20nearest%20year

**https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20ranks%20last%20overall,age%2060%20(23.1%20years).

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.