Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Matthew 16:24-27
“In the life and stories of Jesus lies the potential for a way of life that can make real God’s intention of wholeness for all. The challenge for the individual disciple of Jesus is to be prepared to do whatever is needed to align him or herself with ways of living and giving that release rather than obstruct the flow of God’s generosity. Together we are called to establish a social order in which all enjoy provision for their needs in a way that sustains not only life but abundant living. As we do so, we allow God’s overflowing grace to permeate lifestyle and relationships, and demonstrate the abundant economy of the kingdom of heaven.”
John Preston serves as National Stewardship Officer for the Anglican Church. It’s been good to interact with him this week in Malaga, Spain. Today’s post comes from Giving for Life 4.3, a report by the National Stewardship committee of the Anglican Church.
Few quotes sum up our role in God’s economy better than this one. Read it again!
Next time I return to the UK, it will be good to reconnect with John and perhaps train clergy from the NT to model and teach this way of living. It’s brilliant!