the lord of lifestyle
"Stop worrying, then, over questions like, 'What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?' The unbelievers are always running after these things." —Matthew 6:31-32
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns us that we cannot serve two masters (Mt 6:24). He means we cannot give ourselves to God and money (Mt 6:24). By "giving ourselves to money," Jesus means "worrying about our livelihood." We are not to worry about what we are to eat, drink, or wear (Mt 6:25). If we do, Jesus accuses us of having weak faith and acting like unbelievers (Mt 6:30-32).
In a society preoccupied with a pleasure-seeking lifestyle, Jesus' words are very threatening. We are continually thinking of creature comforts and petty pleasures. The average American has one of the most affluent lifestyles in the world. We have worked for years to get what we have. Now Jesus tells us we were wrong. Since we are "blinded by the god of the present age," the god of lifestyle (2 Cor 4:4), we find it difficult to take seriously Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (see Lk 16:14-15). We are like the rich man's brothers who would not have opened their eyes and changed their lifestyle even if the beggar Lazarus had been raised from the dead (Lk 16:31).
We need a miracle. We need the Spirit to convict us of our sins (Jn 16:8) and crucify us to the world (Gal 6:14). Ask the Spirit to do this.
Prayer: Father, free me from my cultural blind spots. Increase my trust in You and Your providence.
Promise: "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection." —2 Cor 12:9
Praise: When Steve's big-screen TV was stolen, he decided to do without, and increased his prayer time.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Following the World (Spiritual Adultery) on audio AV 53-1 or video V-53.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 1, 2011
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