16 Decisions for Kingdom Living

Well, maybe not 16. As promised, I'm posting some thoughts I have about some key commitments that might help us resist the lure of affluence and materialism in favor of Kingdom values. I'm taking off the Grameen Bank's list of 16 Decisions, which guide their members -- mostly poor women -- in lifting themselves out of poverty . For the most part they are simple and concrete, memorable and measurable.

So here are some ideas -- feel free to suggest additions or deletions.

1. We will attempt to follow the great commandments: to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
2. We will work together to help each other become better stewards of the resources we have -- breaking the power of consumerism by sharing together and talking about how we spend money.
3. We will be better stewards of the environment: waste less, buy local, grow our own food, carpool, etc. [Maybe some of these need to be spelled out separately?]
   
4. We will include the poor, marginalized and those not like us in our lives through acts of friendship, hospitality and service.
5. We will give time and money to help empower people in need in our community and around the world.
6. We will nurture one another's love for God through worship, prayer and other spiritual disciplines practiced together.
7. We will maintain an attitude of repentance regarding our own failures to swim against the current of our culture and grace towards one another.
   
8. We will enjoy God's creation, regularly spend time outdoors and teach our children to appreciate and protect natural environments.

Well, that's a start. Have at it -- debate, discuss, add, subtract.