In this chapter we are asked to pay attention to what we consider to be valuable and how this may be tied to those things we can see and measure,
particularly in financial terms.
We have just received the budget for the
coming year, and can see how the value of the country is judged by it's GDP (Gross Domestic Product),
our financial prospects and how each of
us contributes directly to the economy of this country. All this can be measured, but what value do we put to things we
can’t measure? Those who give voluntary service are estimated to save the
country billions each year, but are not valued on any measurable scale. The Archbishop
states the ignoring of the non-remunerated or voluntary sector has enormous and
disastrous consequences, in the devaluing of individuals, breakdown of
communities and on love and creative lives.
The problem with materialism.....this prioritising of
the tangible and measurable is not that it exists, but that it dominates and
controls. It shouts so loudly that it overrides other things of greater value. This
is deeply embedded in all life.
What examples come to mind where the noise of mammon
drowns out the things that really matter?
E.g. relationships, community, perhaps also in the church.
Looking at your life, what things give you most joy and happiness, and
which are tangible and which are immeasurable?
Justin challenges us to take seriously the power
mammon has over our lives, and our responsibility of making god’s dream of a
transformed world just a little more possible.
Some personal observations.......what kind of country
do we want to present to the world........what do I want to be remembered
for.............what are the most important things in my life..........how do I respond to outsiders who seem to endanger what I value..........refugees, a
burden or opportunity? Nationalism or internationalism? How can we as the
church place more value on immeasurable things?
How do we begin this task?
What might god be calling me to value more?
What might god be calling me to value less?
Rev Chris
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