We’re always looking at how we should live; for example, Colossians 3.12 – 17 is a nice list! John the Baptist came preaching repentance as we all know. What did he say repentance looked like? Keeping some or all of the Jewish law? Looking more like their holy men – their Pharisees? Nope.

And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, 

• Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and 
• whoever has food is to do likewise.” 
• Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, 
  • Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 
• Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “
  • Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and 
  • be content with your wages.” (Luke 3.10 – 14, ESV, bulleted for clarity)

Share with those in need. Be content with your wages – tax collectors and soldiers would extort money only if they thought that what they had wasn’t enough. 

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3.17, 18, ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5, ESV)