What are we here on earth for?
Jesus says we are here to love
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12v30-31)

Philippians 3v4b-14
Paul says that everything else in life is worthless compared to sharing a relationship of love with God through Jesus
Paul says the aim of his life is to press on towards God’s prize – eternal life, a never-ending relationship of love with God & others
This will find its fulfilment in heaven

John 12v1-8
Mary expresses her love for Jesus by an expensive gift
Judas criticises her, saying it could have been sold & the money given to the poor
Jesus affirms her right to show her love extravagantly
Jesus reminds us that we can always help the poor

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6v21)
We are often told today that enjoying life is all that matters
Materialism is the expression of this – my material standard of living must rise
Is this the beast from the sea of Revelation 13, with the ad-man as its prophet?
Jesus says we must examine what is most important to us
Is our way of living motivated by love?
Do we ask if our choices are loving? expressions of love for God & loving towards others
Or has the beast of materialism captured us?
Jesus teaches & shows us the way to live in love for God and others
Let us follow him as we approach Easter & beyond

What questions can you think of to test how materialist we are? E.g.
Could you give up your material wealth to go & live in a poor country to serve God?
If you received an unexpected gift of €500 how would you spend it?
What are you saving for?
What proportion of your income do you give to the needy?
How do you respond to our Church’s financial campaign?
Why not sponsor a needy child via Compassion or SEL?
How much do you spend on inessentials?
Questions for reflection
How can we balance aright spending money on our own needs & pleasures with giving to others in need?
How can we show our love for God in how we use our money?
Why do Jesus & the NT apostles so often warn of the dangers of wealth?
E.g. Matthew 6v24; 1 Timothy 5v10; Hebrews 3v5; Luke 18v24; Matthew 13v22
Given that you are wealthy compared to most people in the world, how should you respond to these warnings?
How can you ensure that your life is about love for God and other people?
In what are you trusting for security, including financial security, for the future?
How do you think God feels about your pension provision for retirement?
Are you providing aright for your family dependants (1 Timothy 5v8)?