This video shares information about a person who is willing to invest a lot of money to help build up Israel in light of the war. War is never ideal, and it is always sad to see people suffer and die regardless of who they are. We shouldn’t hope for pain and suffering to happen to anyone and should do our best to minimize harm. Yet in the midst of it, there is something in this video we should think about, and that is how what we love is reflected by what we do.
It is easy to say you love something with your mouth, but it is much harder to actually follow through, especially if it takes any sort of personal sacrifice. This man is willing to invest a lot of money to build up Israel and provide children with distractions and fun things to take their mind off of the war. What are you investing in? On what most would consider reasonable worries in regard to basic human needs, Yeshua said , “But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Some people may interpret this as seeking only to promote intangible spiritual truths disconnected from any concern about practical everyday needs on earth. But note, Yeshua said to seek first, not seek only to the neglect of tangible needs. I think this is the case because if we are following God spiritually, it will naturally alter how we live in the here and now, tangibly. The prayer Yeshua taught us was “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We are not to be idly waiting for the next life for things to get better, but working to make life better now by following the ways of God now.
The kingdom that God wants to establish is not limited to any special region but is something that should fill the whole earth. To be able to build up the kingdom of God, we need to understand its principles. “’Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?’ He told him, ‘“You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”’ This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-39). These are the sort of principles that are meant to build up in life even if it comes at a loss to ourselves.
We are told, “If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the Tanakh it is written, "Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.'" On the contrary, ‘“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head.”’ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good” (Romans 12:18-21).
Sadly, it is not always possible to avoid conflict, but as far as possible we should seek to live in harmony with the principles of God’s kingdom and avoid turning from justice to revenge. Don’t allow your pain to harden your heart toward anyone. And remember you don’t have to be really rich to help someone. You can share the little things you have and your time by using it to help others.
