Reflection
10.13.20
Read, again: Matthew 6:19-34
I have a friend who named his real estate development and property management business the ‘633 Group.’ Although not part of his company’s public branding, if asked he will tell anyone that the name is derived from Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
He enjoys a sterling reputation for treating his business partners and clients with respect, integrity and excellence; among the listed values of the ‘633 Group’ is “Do the right thing for the right reasons” – not a bad summation of what Jesus meant by ‘righteousness.’ His ventures have been wildly successful; and he is exceptionally generous in support of Christian ministries.
What do you think? Has my friend “nailed” Matthew 6:33 and proven the promise of God’s Word?
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone was born into great wealth. His father was a successful businessman and indulged all his children; Giovanni was his favorite, and he nicknamed him “Francesco”. Handsome, bright, witty, but not particularly industrious or motivated, young Francesco was the life of every party, in no small part because he often financed those parties from his family’s coffers. But a series of health crises and conversion experiences led him to renounce that profligate lifestyle and his family’s wealth. Inspired by Jesus’ example and call to “preach good news to the poor,” Francesco made common cause with most destitute and lived in abject poverty. His father had not been pleased with his son’s lavish and promiscuous lifestyle. But he was even less pleased that his son now chose to live as a vagabond and beggar; he virtually disowned Francesco.
The Spirit of God not only inspired Francesco to minister to the poorest of the poor but gave him a special sensitivity to the rhythms of creation. He was not only an advocate for social justice and a prophetic voice against income inequality . . . some have called him the first environmental activist. Life’s travails and the health hazards that are inherent to poverty took a toll on his physical body; he died at age 44.
You may have guessed that I’ve described the person we know as Francis of Assisi, who was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228, just two years after his death.
Somewhere between the prosperity of the ‘633 Group’ and the voluntary poverty of St. Francis, most of us will have to find our own way to seek first God’s kingdom and God’s justice.
Go deeper: Pray or sing “The Prayer of St. Francis” (which, even if he did not actually write it, captures his heart for God and for God’s marginalized people).
10.13.20
Read, again: Matthew 6:19-34
I have a friend who named his real estate development and property management business the ‘633 Group.’ Although not part of his company’s public branding, if asked he will tell anyone that the name is derived from Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
He enjoys a sterling reputation for treating his business partners and clients with respect, integrity and excellence; among the listed values of the ‘633 Group’ is “Do the right thing for the right reasons” – not a bad summation of what Jesus meant by ‘righteousness.’ His ventures have been wildly successful; and he is exceptionally generous in support of Christian ministries.
What do you think? Has my friend “nailed” Matthew 6:33 and proven the promise of God’s Word?
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone was born into great wealth. His father was a successful businessman and indulged all his children; Giovanni was his favorite, and he nicknamed him “Francesco”. Handsome, bright, witty, but not particularly industrious or motivated, young Francesco was the life of every party, in no small part because he often financed those parties from his family’s coffers. But a series of health crises and conversion experiences led him to renounce that profligate lifestyle and his family’s wealth. Inspired by Jesus’ example and call to “preach good news to the poor,” Francesco made common cause with most destitute and lived in abject poverty. His father had not been pleased with his son’s lavish and promiscuous lifestyle. But he was even less pleased that his son now chose to live as a vagabond and beggar; he virtually disowned Francesco.
The Spirit of God not only inspired Francesco to minister to the poorest of the poor but gave him a special sensitivity to the rhythms of creation. He was not only an advocate for social justice and a prophetic voice against income inequality . . . some have called him the first environmental activist. Life’s travails and the health hazards that are inherent to poverty took a toll on his physical body; he died at age 44.
You may have guessed that I’ve described the person we know as Francis of Assisi, who was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228, just two years after his death.
Somewhere between the prosperity of the ‘633 Group’ and the voluntary poverty of St. Francis, most of us will have to find our own way to seek first God’s kingdom and God’s justice.
Go deeper: Pray or sing “The Prayer of St. Francis” (which, even if he did not actually write it, captures his heart for God and for God’s marginalized people).
-Pastor Dave
