Church News Volume 2, Issue 2

Dear friends,

Harvest time is a chance to reflect upon how blessed we are in this country with conditions favourable for a good harvest of crops. It is also a chance for us to reflect upon how much we take for granted. We expect the harvest to be successful and there to be food in the shops when we need it.

Recent events and fuel shortages have made us aware of just how much we do take these essentials of life for granted!

Lack of petrol has meant that for many freedom to travel has been seriously curtailed. Essential services have been restricted. We have had to think very carefully about our travel arrangements. Some have not been able to get to work, visit friends, and do all those activities which fill our daily lives.

Panic buying has set in - petrol, food, and other goods. The realisation that we could not, even for short time, take such things for granted, frightened many. But almost two-thirds of the world's population has to live in this way, not knowing when they will be able to eat their next meal, or if they can travel to find food, or even if there will be a harvest at all.

Jesus taught His followers to pray as part of the Lord's Prayer this petition : "Give us this day our daily bread." : Bread for today, and leave tomorrow for God.

Remember the story Jesus told of the greedy man who filled his granary, built a new one to take the surplus, so as to make sure all was well, and that he had plenty - more than plenty in store : and then he died that night! The point of all this is not to suggest that we should be prodigal or reckless but rather to draw the distinction between what we really need and the greediness which is truly unhealthy. For it is for what we need that we are bidden to pray, not what we might need or want.

Recent shortages of fuel and food items have shown just how greedy we can be in a crisis as some are found hoarding food and fuel creating and even greater crisis!

Thank God for His goodness towards us. But the blessing of a good harvest brings its own responsibilities - we must be careful not to take more than we need and to share with those who have very little then we shall be truly blessed.

Revd Ian M. Finn

We brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it; but as long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that. (1 Timothy 6)

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