Thought for Today
Genesis 1:29 God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
“In a world consumed by scarcity and a society built on greed, God nourishes us and provides for us.” (These Days, October 20, 2026)
Is our world consumed by scarcity? Is our society in the U.S.A. built on greed? Most of us are aware that in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, food insecurity is a problem. One of the missions of First Parish Church of Newbury is our Community Food Pantry. Every week our wonderful volunteers are confronted with the reality of food insecurity as they offer their resources of time and money to help feed God’s children. And, we know that ours is only one of a number of such efforts throughout our region and throughout our nation.
America the Beautiful is not our actual National Anthem. It is, however, one of the favorite patriotic songs for many of us. “O beautiful for spacious skies,/For amber waves of grain,/For purple mountain majesties/Above the fruited plain!/America, America!/God shed His grace on thee/And crown thy good with brotherhood/From sea to shining sea.”
Driving through our country, the reality of “amber waves of grain” and of “fruited plains” is obvious. Various regions are rife with corn, wheat, sorghum and other grains. Fruit orchards abound. Vast herds of cattle and other livestock exist. Dairy farms exist almost everywhere in our nation. How can there be scarcity in our bountiful nation?
It has been suggested that our issue is more one of distribution than of scarcity. Yet, the U.S.A. has an extensive network of Interstate Highways, U.S. Highways, state and local highways, almost all paved and well maintained (except for the inevitable potholes). Driving almost any road gives evidence of our vast trucking industry. There are also cross-country railroads and airports. Regional warehouses abound. How can we have a distribution problem?
I do not believe that our economy or our society are “built on greed.” Yes, we do have a free market, capitalist economy. Implicit in that quotation above is the idea that some sort of managed economy would be preferential. Historically, neither socialism nor communism has been able to successfully manage a national economy. In truth, capitalism has provided more wealth and comfort to a greater number of people than any other economic system.
Maybe we should consider the earliest days of Christianity for clues to our problem. “Acts 2:43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. . . . 4:32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.”
As I ponder on the issues of food insecurity, of housing insecurity, poverty and all of the other ills of the societies around our globe, I cannot help but wonder, would our world be a better place if we responded better to the Great Commission, “Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”? Would doing so help alleviate food insecurity, etc.?
Or, maybe we should remember the words of Jesus, "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Would that do it?
Stand in awe of the gifts of God, lovingly share from your abundance, trust God,
Pastor Ray