Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)

While we might explore different types of poverty, when this scripture was written it was most likely to have a face value meaning. The kingdom of God is achieved through right relationships and justice. Thus, implied here is that wealth gets in the way of right relationships and justice. Wealth is an obstacle to the kingdom of God. Why might that be? An answer might be that one’s focus is on things (and their accumulation) rather than people. This test, things over people OR people over things, challenges each one of us and requires regular scrutiny.

The young people in our care can focus on the latest and shiniest (as can many of us!). Instead of berating them for being so, we do well to allow the opportunity to explore where their focus lies: Are people more important than things in my life? Are my relationships mostly about me?

Have a great week!
Patrick