When is Enough – Enough?

I have heard it suggested that the annual incomes of the world's 100 richest people could end global poverty four times over¹, which brings us to the heart of this Sunday's Gospel reading (Luke 3:7-18).

This week, as we make our pilgrimage through the season of Advent, we journey with John the Baptist. John saw a gross imbalance of wealth in his day. So much so that he strongly condemned those who failed to share their wealth with those in need:

“The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Instead John suggested the wealthy should do something far more radical and counter intuitive:

Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, anyone who has food should do the same...”

As we travel through these days of Advent we also have a similar opportunity to offer support to those in need in the community in which we live by supporting the local food banks, for example, or to follow John's advise literally, and give away good clothes we no longer need to the various Opportunity Shops in the local community.

However, the heart of John's advice was that we should also learn to “be content with what you have” which sounded very similar to something Jesus' said in his sermon on the mount – or to Gandhi's comment: “our happiness really lies in contentment” – which reminded me of the following story about a government official who longed for fame, fortune and dignity.

The official happened to serve an elderly king and had tried many different ways to please the king. For example, when he discovered the King loved poetry, he tried to learn to write a poetry thinking this was one way he might get promotion or fame, fortune and dignity. However, while he was learning to be a poet, the king died and the young prince was crowned king.

Unfortunately, for the government official, the new king did not like poetry, instead, he liked military matters and going to war – so the government official began to learn how to be a warrior in the hope that he might be promoted and so gain the fame and fortune he longed for. However, it wasn't long before the king was killed on the battlefield and his son was crowned. The new king, however, did not like poetry, nor did he like going to war. Rather, all he wanted to do was to play chess and sought out those who were also good at playing chess.

At this point the official had become old and helpless. As he reviewed his life he thought: “I have tried to serve three kings in the hope I might receive fame, fortune, dignity and promotion. But I have gained nothing. I have wasted my whole life – and shortly after that he died in confusion.

The sad story makes a point: Those who chase after what they want without wisdom, are chasing after their own shadow.

Do we find ourselves chasing after shadows? What should we do? John was asked a similar question in this weeks reading – and he pointed to Jesus. John was aware that greed and desire, fame and fortune will never give us lasting peace and happiness. It is faith that makes the difference, because faith begins to create what it desires. Faith supports us to keep trusting, hoping and believing. It also helps us to discover a generosity of spirit which is exactly what John refers to in our this week's Gospel reading. He suggests that if we have faith, faith will help us to learn to see everything through, and even with, the eyes of God.

Which leaves us with these questions:

• How do you see the people you meet in your life?

• Do you see the glory of God radiantly shining on their faces?

• If not, how might you share even a little of the faith and hope that you have.

O God, this Advent season: give us new eyes so we might see your glory in those we meet. Amen.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and good will on your journey.

Phil

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1. Oxfam International https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/annual-income-richest-100-people-enough-end-global-poverty-four-times-over