The Essentials of Life

Read It: Isaiah 55:1-5 (NRSV)

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  3Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.  I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.  4See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.  5See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Learn It:

Food and water are the most basic elements that we need to live. Without them we will die after just a few days. Isaiah is telling us that we should spend our money on the things that will satisfy our needs, those things that are essential to survival. If you don't have enough money for simple things that ensure your survival then why do you buy so many things that aren't necessary? Isaiah then moves on from the analogy of food and water to that of God. Just as food and water are the essentials of life so is a relationship with God. God has already given you the free gift through the covenant made through David and the ancestors.There is no need to earn or buy this gift from anyone or anything. Don't try to spend your money on something that God has already bestowed upon you.

Share It:

Share with each other what you think the essentials are for your life? Do you need food, water, shelter...tv, computers, refrigerator..etc. What are essential for a healthy life and what are things that you think would be nice to have as extras? What are the essential parts of your faith and what do you think you need to 'survive' all the things that life will throw at you? Take out a piece of paper and list on one side essentials for life and on the other side wants for life. Write down all your families thoughts and see what you all agree upon and what thngs you disagree upon and talk about why you each think it should be on the one side or the other.

Live It:

Take this week to live off the essentials of your faith. Do the things that you think are essential to having a strong faith (reading the Bible, prayer, etc). When you are done with the essentials each day then add on the 'extra' things of regular day life (tv, music, games, etc). See how the essentials might help or influence the rest of your week and the rest of your activities. Enjoy!

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Please post comments with your experience with the share it or live it part of this weeks post.  Let others know if you and your family found this useful.