Written by Scott B. Hayashi
Luke 12:33b (NRSV) Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Most people would say that their possessions—house, car, money, or home furnishings—help them to feel secure and rooted in the world. The odd thing is that having more stuff increases the fear and threat of theft, and we end up feeling less secure.
Jesus sends his disciples out with only the sandals on their feet and the clothes on their back as possessions and protection. Having so little means the disciples do not have much worth taking, insofar as the greedy world is concerned. As odd as this asceticism seems, the disciples are safer and more secure precisely because they have next to nothing to tempt robbers.
While most of us would say that this kind of a radical, stuff-free lifestyle is impractical, irresponsible, and impossible, we might look at the things we have, all we carry that may distract us from sharing the gospel wholeheartedly, and ask: “Do I really need all this? What can I do without? How can I live with my hands and heart open to preaching the good news?”
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