Main content
12/06/2017
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Anna Drew, Director of Communications with the Canterbury Diocese.
Last on
Mon 12 Jun 2017
05:43
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Script
Good morning.
You may have heard it said that if you want to know what your priorities are, you need look no further than your own bank statement.Β
Of course, for many of us, our expenditure is pretty non-negotiable: we may have rent to pay, or school uniforms to buy. Weβve all got to eat and I know that if I fail to pay my Council Tax I could end up before a magistrate. But if you do have any spare money, youβll likely spend it on things that are important to you β going out with friends or on holiday with your family, supporting a charity whose work inspires you.Β
Today the Church celebrates the life of Saint Barnabas. Barnabas, whose name means βSon of Encouragement,β lived among the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. Weβre told that this whole group were of βone mind and soulβ, that they shared everything and kept nothing for back themselves. As a member of this group, Barnabas sold some of his own property and gave the money to the community.Β
We have a tendency to romanticise the early church - and it gives cynics like me some comfort to know that it wasnβt long before relationships became rather less harmonious. Yet, I fear we dismiss this βhoneymoon periodβ in the Churchβs life, rather too swiftly.Β
Jesus famously declared that βWherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.β When the early Christians began to share all they had, it was in the knowledge that mere human transactions could never match the significance of the grace already given them. Β Their generosity was the natural consequence of the knowledge that they were rich indeed because of Godβs love for them.Β
Father God, thank you for the gifts we have been given. Grant us wisdom to use them well and security in the knowledge of your love. Amen.Β
You may have heard it said that if you want to know what your priorities are, you need look no further than your own bank statement.Β
Of course, for many of us, our expenditure is pretty non-negotiable: we may have rent to pay, or school uniforms to buy. Weβve all got to eat and I know that if I fail to pay my Council Tax I could end up before a magistrate. But if you do have any spare money, youβll likely spend it on things that are important to you β going out with friends or on holiday with your family, supporting a charity whose work inspires you.Β
Today the Church celebrates the life of Saint Barnabas. Barnabas, whose name means βSon of Encouragement,β lived among the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. Weβre told that this whole group were of βone mind and soulβ, that they shared everything and kept nothing for back themselves. As a member of this group, Barnabas sold some of his own property and gave the money to the community.Β
We have a tendency to romanticise the early church - and it gives cynics like me some comfort to know that it wasnβt long before relationships became rather less harmonious. Yet, I fear we dismiss this βhoneymoon periodβ in the Churchβs life, rather too swiftly.Β
Jesus famously declared that βWherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.β When the early Christians began to share all they had, it was in the knowledge that mere human transactions could never match the significance of the grace already given them. Β Their generosity was the natural consequence of the knowledge that they were rich indeed because of Godβs love for them.Β
Father God, thank you for the gifts we have been given. Grant us wisdom to use them well and security in the knowledge of your love. Amen.Β
Broadcast
- Mon 12 Jun 2017 05:43ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
"Time is passing strangely these days..."
Uplifting thoughts and hopes for the coronavirus era from Salma El-Wardany.