During my early elementary school years my family lived in Arlington, VA, just outside Washington D.C.. We saved money shopping at the Commissary and Navy Exchange on the military base, and went to the Navy doctor when necessary. Our family of three didn’t live extravagantly but we had enough to enjoy cultural outings now and then.
I was privileged to experience so much our nation’s capital has to offer–Easter festivities on the White House lawn and school field trips to the Smithsonian.
I can still picture the giant Foucault Pendulum swinging in the National Museum of American History. I gaped at the Washington Monument towering over me and strolled down The Mall while the cherry blossoms were at their peak. We even attended a National Symphony Orchestra’s “Sunset Symphony”–sitting near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as the musicians played below.
Washington D.C. is home to some opulent architecture, nice cars, and fine clothing. But one thing I also remember riding into D.C. as a child was what I saw before arriving at those famous edifices. I witnessed poverty for the first time. On the outskirts of town people lived in ramshackle housing, walked around in raggedy clothing, and seemed to wander aimlessly.
I can’t explain the disparity between their lives and those of the highly affluent, who, just down the street, fill both houses of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the White House.
But Jesus saw this as part of the human condition. That’s why He stated, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11 NIV). And He actually had plenty to say to both the rich and the poor regarding greed, the importance of work, giving, and not taking advantage of others.
One teaching applicable to all social classes comes from Matthew 6:31-33:
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Doesn’t this verse describe what absorbs so much of the world’s attention? Materialism can dominate our thinking even as believers if we let it. In fact, we’re bombarded with digital and TV ads, billboards and junk mail reminding us over and over again of all the things we supposedly “need”.
Yet Jesus turns our attention here to God’s kingdom, which doesn’t follow the world’s reasoning because it’s higher than any human system. And since our loving heavenly Father already knows what we need, our focus should be on Him. He can lead us to jobs, inspire creativity and new ideas, warn us against harmful financial decisions, and guide in the wise use of our resources and how to help others.
In any fiscal situation, God will prove Himself faithful when we seek His kingdom.
So let’s look to Him. He has all of the answers we need, no matter where we live.
