Stuff is to share

Think about your bedroom. What stuff is in there that you really need, and what do you just like? You probably don't need stuffed animals, a TV or lots of clothes. You could live without a Playstation or your Beanie Baby collection.

Jesus thought it was good for us to remember that we don't need a lot of the stuff we have. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus even tells the devil what He doesn't need!

Jesus went into the desert for 40 days, and didn't eat or drink the whole time. The devil came to Him and said, "If you're God, turn these rocks into bread." Jesus said, "Bread isn't all that keeps you alive. God does, too." The devil took Jesus to the top of a building and said, "Jump. If you're God, the angels will catch you." "Don't test God," Jesus answered. Then the devil showed Jesus the whole world and said, "I'll give you this if you worship me." "You should worship only God," Jesus answered. "Go away!" And the devil left Jesus alone.

The devil thought Jesus needed everything He had -- like power and doing miracles. He reminded Jesus of all the stuff God could do and said, "You're God. Why don't you use all that power?"

It's a good idea to look around at your stuff, decide what you don't need and give it away. God gave us enough food, money, clothes and toys for everyone in the world -- if we share.

Jesus told the devil all about what He didn't need. Jesus already knew He was God, so He didn't need to prove He had lots of power by using it to do miracles for Himself like making bread or jumping off buildings.

Instead of showing off what He had, Jesus helped other people -- and if Jesus could do that, so can we!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to see what I need, what I like and what I can share! Amen.

(02-18-99)