At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20-21
“How should disciples deal simply with the goods of the earth? Jesus does not forbid them to use the goods. Jesus was human. He ate and drank just as the disciples did. In so doing, He purified the use of the goods of the earth. Disciples should gratefully use the goods required for their bodies’ daily need and nutrition — goods which are consumed in sustaining life…Goods are given to us to be used, but not to be stored away.
Just as Israel in the desert received manna daily from God and did not have to worry about food and drink, and just as the manna which was stored from one day for another rotted, so should Jesus’ disciples receive their daily share from God. But if they store it up as lasting treasure, they will spoil both the gift and themselves. The heart clings to collected treasure. Stored-up possessions get between me and God. Where my treasure is, there is my trust, my security, my comfort, my God. Treasure means idolatry.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Discipleship (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003) 162-163.
When this week began, we were a family of four with four reliable used cars. Thankfully we are still a family of four, but down one car. On Wednesday afternoon, Sammy was en route to Bailey to serve as a fly fishing guide for three clients and the engine in his 1997 Toyota Rav4 gave out while climbing the last ridge into Conifer.
Thankfully Jenni and I were available to drive up and give him my 2001 Rav4 to use indefinitely, and AAA promptly towed his vehicle to the shop. Upon hearing the news about his car later that night, we asked him how he felt. His tone reflected the openhanded worship of Job. We saw gratitude! He was thankful to use it for five years but was never attached to it. Sammy modeled for us what it means to “deal simply” with stuff.
Later that evening, Jenni and I compared our calendars and realized that we can do just fine sharing one car through October. I may need a ride or two to the airport, but nothing that can’t be sorted. We marveled that one car is all we need, at least for a season. We worshiped on our morning walk yesterday and gave thanks for God’s faithfulness.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.