When people ask you how you’re doing – have you every included the word “busy” in your answer?

One NY Times article called “The Busy Trap” that went viral commented, “It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.””

Notice it isn’t generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the I.C.U. or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs  who tell you how busy they are; what those people are is not busy but tired. Exhausted. Dead on their feet. It’s almost always people whose lamented busyness is purely self-imposed: work and obligations they’ve taken on voluntarily, classes and activities they’ve “encouraged” their kids to participate in. They’re busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they’re addicted to busyness and dread what they might have to face in its absence.

Yes, for most of us, busyness is a choice, and we kind of like it!

But what are its consequences?

One psychiatrist listed a few:

  • It is so easy with cellphones and BlackBerrys a touch away.
  • It is a kind of high.
  • It is a status symbol.
  • We’re afraid we’ll be left out if we slow down.
  • We avoid dealing with life’s really big issues — death, global warming, AIDS, terrorism — by running from task to task.
  • We do not know how not to be busy.

There are many, but we’ll focus today on the consequence for our neighbours, since Jesus said this was so important.

When I first moved to Ajax, it naturally took a little time to meet all our neighbours.  Most memorably, two distinct families said the same thing when they met us.  One said, “I’m really sorry we’re just meeting you, I had made cakepops for you guys, but then got too busy to bring them over.”  Another said the same thing, “my wife was going to bake a pie to welcome you, but we got too busy.”

It’s heartbreaking – firstly because I could have had some excellent desserts, but also because it’s obvious how hectic our lifestyles can be, and how it inhibits forming lifegiving relationships.

Question: On a scale from 1 to 10 how busy is your life right now?

Ryan Sim - April 23, 2013

Tuesday - Study It - Generosity

Matthew 6:1 says “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Jesus began with a general principle: Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. This is one of three examples Jesus uses to illustrate. Look at two others in the next two weeks involving prayer and self-denial. First example, however, is giving: 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Jesus acknowledges that his followers are not the only nice, generous people out there, giving is not an exclusively Christian activity. Says to his followers in v. 2 & 3 "when" you give to the needy – simply assumes you will give to help others. This would be a big part of Jewish society...a box at every synagogue where money for the poor could be placed. Another clue: do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do. Even the hypocrites...whose habit of acting religious Jesus is about to attack quite vigorously...are known to give to the poor. Clearly Jesus doesn’t have to bother commending giving itself, it’s fairly universal. Same today. Jesus’ followers don’t have a monopoly of giving, or niceness. Charitable giving by Canadians was $10.6B in 2010 Some Christian, some not. Giving is widespread. When Jesus talks about giving to the poor, then and today, he’s not claiming that Christians are the only givers, only kind people. What he does want, however, is for his followers to give for particular reasons. More concerned about motivations than money. Wants them to hide their giving from others, hide from self, show to God. Today, we look at hiding it from others He wants his followers to hide their giving from others. Drive a Prius because it’s eco friendly, not for looks. Wants his followers to give generously to others whether the collection is in a basket or a bag, whether by pre-authorized giving or in cash, whether recognized by the charity or not. Wants their motivation to be something other than being noticed by others. Question: How does Jesus expect his followers to give like others, and how does he expect their giving to be different?

Related Topics: Generosity | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

Discuss the Daily Challenge

More Messages From Ryan Sim...

Powered by Series Engine