02 July 2023 | Matthew 10:37-42 |

Jesus Christ proposed trade-offs between faith and worldly things and love for others. The love of the world for Jesus should go beyond the love of loved ones, even beyond the love of self. This does not mean that we should completely ignore or abandon family relationships, but that we should put love and obedience to God first and be willing to deny ourselves and take up our own cross for the sake of God's way.

Welcome those who serve God and offer help and love to the smallest and weakest. Even a small act of kindness with a glass of cold water is rewarded before God. To put God first, to love God above all else, and to be willing to sacrifice oneself for the sake of His ways and ministries, is not to exclude material life or family relationships, but to remind us that material and human relationships should be subordinated to spiritual values.

The spiritual and the material can be balanced. We can better understand and practice the values of the Christian faith and treat others with love and kindness, especially those who need our help and support the most.

Picture : https://achristianpilgrim.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/jesus-and-hospitality/