“The United States has just 5 percent of the world’s population but consumes 30 percent of the world’s resources.”

A thought by Darren Whitehead, Jon Tyson and Bill Hybels, (2011-07-19) from their book, Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You´ve Only Heard About (p. 29). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I am reading the Gospel of Matthew right now in the Message paraphrase. There are some things Jesus says in chapter 10 that speak to this situation.

Jesus says, “Be content – please.” That would help wouldn’t it? We maybe wouldn’t need to consume so much. We could maybe give some that we have to those who really need.

He also says, “Don’t think that I have come to make life cozy.” But isn’t that what life is all about? I mean I work so that I will be cozy. I need that comfortable house, that comfortable chair, that comfortable bed. Isn't that what life is all about? I wonder..

Here’s another one. “If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick or thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself.” But that is my first concern. I need to take care of me and mine. Isn’t that my responsibility? He then says, “But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.”

Somehow we need to see life from His perspective. We don’t think so but we who live in the USA really do have it good. Our poverty level is way about the rest of the world. There is a reason why people do everything they can to get to the USA. But our good life has a responsibility attached to it. God doesn’t give to us for us. He gives to us so we can give.

He also said in this chapter, “You have been treated generously, so live generously.”

Are you a Christ-follower? Then are you giving like it?

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“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

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A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

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