Before Speaking of a Speck in Another’s Eye

Meera Mahadevan

Unless we have been living in self-imposed exile, we would have seen news of the devastating floods in Spain. Over 200 fatalities and emergency workers are still uncovering bodies. Homes and livelihoods utterly destroyed.

Over the weekend the King & Queen of Spain and their entourage went down to the ground for their customary walk about. An effort to show their solidarity with their suffering people. They could not have foreseen their welcome. They were pelted with mud and eggs. They were booed and chants of “murderer” could be heard.

“Where were you?” “You are 4 days late?” “What are you here to see?”

The next day there was the explosive investigative report on the USD35million and USD30million private income earned by King Charles and Prince William respectively. Funds derived by charging charitable organizations and public agencies for use of the duchies’ land and rights of way.

These include an agreement with the Ministry of Justice to lease Dartmoor prison, and another with St Thomas’ NHS trust to rent a London warehouse over 15 years to store ambulances. The Ministry of Defence rents mooring space for warships; one local authority has to pay for access to a toll bridge.

Now, before we train on our guns on these royalties, how about we turn the lens on us. We who are called into the royal priesthood. How are we living our lives?

How do we view our income? Is it our income or God’s, entrusted to us for wise and generous stewardship? The answer lies in how we utilise it.

Do we live within our means? Do we live a simple life? Or do we live a lifestyle driven by the motivation to reward ourselves for our hard work and our hard-earned income?

Are we saving for a rainy day or are we accumulating to meet our needs for security, comfort and pleasure?

What is the proportion of what we give to God’s Kingdom work and those in need to what we spend for our needs and wants?

It is very tempting and righteous to speak up and speak out against corrupt politicians and the ultra-rich. To question how they gained their wealth and how they spend it. It very tempting to demand transparency from these people. It feels so righteous to call them to account. What if the same is asked of us?

As followers of Christ, our authority to speak up and speak out lies in how we are living our lives. It is not about merely having the right theological knowledge BUT whether our way of life matches our Lord’s calling. Our Lord who gave up the glory of heaven to live in poverty so that we who are damned would be saved. For He lived for God’s purpose that transcended His self.

Interestingly, yesterday’s liturgy was Luke 14:12-14. So, who do we invite to dinner? Would they be allowed passed our guardhouse? Would our neighbours be open to having them within the same shared residents’ premises?

So, before speaking of a speck in another’s eye …