What do we value and what is our net worth?

  The Gospel readings for this weekend seek to examine how we become good stewards of the possessions that we are entrusted with for the good of the whole creation. How we use these possessions seeks to determine whether we own them or whether they own us. How we use our own possessions for the good of another determines how our characters are shaped and what values we seek to uphold. The Gospel provides the contrast between a narrow focus on our own needs in isolation to the greater needs of another. Often, we can become focused on building and preserving our wealth, achieving a particular position, or having status within society. The danger is that when we focus on these external signs of success, we can become slaves to that which is under our control, what makes us look good or causes us to see our value determined by the opinion of others. We become shaped by our wealth, status, or power. Yet all of these can be taken from us suddenly due to sickness, poverty, or loss of employment. 

This is where our prayers need to be a place where we discover what truly brings life. This is not just that we become people who say prayers, but we discover how our prayer shapes our responses. This is where we are called to notice how our response to the generosity of another may be shaped by the quantity, they give more than the quality of their giving. Jesus brings this into his reflection on the widow's mite compared to the giving of others who give vast amounts to the treasury. The emphasis is on the wholehearted response of the widow who trusts God is more generous in sharing than those who give just what is left over. This reflects the abundance of the goodness of God who does not measure a person's worth by how much they own but through the goodness of their life.

This is also noticed in the life-and-death discussion of Elijah and the woman. On the surface, this just is about the practical needs of sharing a cup of water and a piece of bread. This dialogue draws both into a more profound trust that God will meet us at the time of our greatest need when we have little to share. This abandonment to God's providence allows the person to see that their value is not determined by what they own but by the person they are called to become. Sometimes we can be people who hoard God's gifts or squander them on what satisfies us rather than trusting that we might be in the right place, for the right time, and for the right purpose.

 God seeks to reframe our way of living so that we spend our time, treasure, and talent on what brings life to others and not just ourselves. This is a challenge for all of us to examine how we spend our time and money. Our diaries and our bank accounts become Theological statements that show what we truly value. This is where we allow God to meet us in the practical events of daily life. Not ignoring our responsibilities but not ignoring the needs of the other. It is often those who have the least who appear the most generous. How do we trust God to provide what is needed for the good of another and not just to make us feel good? This frees us to make steps in faith to allow God to be at the centre of our giving and receiving. To seek who I am called to be for this day and this time.