REFRAME

When most of us everyday folk take something that is not ours—be it money or food or other material goods—it is out of a scarcity mindset. Some of us can have a scarcity mindset even if we are not in a place of dire scarcity at the moment. Fear can create powerful internal realities. 

Many in our world, unfortunately, live in true scarcity and have less than they need. Sendhil Mullainathan wrote a book called Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much. In it, he comments, 

Scarcity is not just a physical constraint. It is also a mindset. When scarcity captures our attention, it changes how we think—whether it is at the level of milliseconds, hours, or days and weeks. By staying top of mind, it affects what we notice, how we weigh our choices, how we deliberate, and ultimately what we decide and how we behave. When we function under scarcity, we represent, manage, and deal with problems differently.

Often, stealing comes from this fear of having too little to survive. I find it interesting that in the Hebrew Bible, we read a testament prohibiting stealing right alongside countless laws protecting the poor and underprivileged, most notably the year of Jubilee. God is showing us what it takes to make societal-level change. It is not helpful to simply declare, “Don’t do this one action, and it is now illegal and punishable.” Someone who feels like they have no other option will risk it. The Bible asks that we put in place the effort and system to make the action unnecessary.

I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

RELEASE

As Americans, I’m sure most of us are cognizant of the notion that much of the material in our life is produced through a type of theft. The shoes I’m wearing were likely made by someone who lives in impoverished conditions in a country far away. In a sense, is that not theft? A company takes advantage of poverty, and often gets mixed up in international politics in such a way that will keep them holding on to that economic advantage. I feel a bit stuck on this. An insignificant guy in small-town Pennsylvania doesn’t really have a whole lot to offer in that global scenario.  

But I do feel confident in two things:

1) We as Americans tend to consume far more than what we truly need.

2) We vote for the future we want with every dollar we spend. Our votes may be smaller, but Kingdom change has always been grassroots.  

Perhaps to contribute to the creation of a world wherein one person’s possessions and/or time aren’t unfairly taken, we must release. Release our need for more, our needs for the newer things, and the convenient things.  

I think there may be a great gift in living simply, below our means, and with no slavery to the impulse for “more.”

Let nothing disturb you, 
Let nothing frighten you, 
All things are passing away: 
God never changes. 
Patience obtains all things. 
Whoever has God lacks nothing; 
God alone suffices.

Santa Teresa of Avila

RESIST

We must resist. For every story we hear about someone being wronged by a faceless corporation or gridlocked bureaucracy, may we hand out another free meal, offer another free coat, and fix another neighbor’s porch, no questions asked. May we be a tireless resistance of good. 

Have courage to resist the voice telling you to steal; be it money, time, attention, or any such thing which would disadvantage someone else by its robbery. Have courage to resist the wrongdoings of the world, and all the ways in which they entreat you sweetly to partake.  

There are ways in which your attention might be stolen. An hour may go by, maybe two, before you realize that where you’ve been putting your attention benefits you nothing. It may be your attention, it may be your money, it may be your vote; resist all efforts to extract from you that which should go to God, to your family, to yourself, and be gifted to others in ways God would invite you. 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

REFLECT

Over two hundred years ago, John Wesley and his version of a Life Group would gather and ask each other twenty-two questions. These are not specifically on the eighth commandment. But, they are deep invitations to build self-awareness and humbleness on spirit.  

If you’re scanning through this blog post, anxious to get on to your next task for the day, copy and paste these questions into some place where you can reference them. Add them to a time of personal prayer some time this week. Maybe bring them up to your Life Group. Do you have a personal prayer time you frequent? Do you have a group of other believers with whom you can grow and find accountability? If not, address both of those swiftly.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 
• Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
• Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
• Can I be trusted?
• Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
• Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
• Did the Bible live in me today?
• Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
• Am I enjoying prayer?
• When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
• Do I pray about the money I spend?
• Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
• Do I disobey God in anything? Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
• Am I defeated in any part of my life?
• Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
• How do I spend my spare time?
• Am I proud?
• Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican? 

BENEDICTION

St. Francis de Sales