What Would Jesus Do In A World Driven By Gain?

It’s a much cooler morning today, and the rain is pouring down outside my window. I hope this day finds you well and filled with peace.

This morning, I received an email from a life coaching course I took a while back. It’s not something I’ve pursued professionally — life has called me to other things for now — but I still appreciate learning ways to grow myself.

The message said something that caught my attention:

“Your goal as a coach or trainer...is to charge well. If you charge low prices, you attract those not serious about their own transformation. Their lack of commitment leads to a lack of results. Their lack of results leads to them not telling others about you.”

Then it asked, “What about those who can’t afford you? What would you do there?”

This statement, and questions lingered with me. Would someone really not take something seriously just because they didn’t pay a high price for it? After all, I only paid $7 for this course when it was on special — and it still gave me something to think about.

It made me wonder: what would Jesus do?

That isn’t just a cliché or a slogan for bumper stickers. It’s a way of living. A daily question that should guide every choice we make.

Jesus helped people freely. He healed, taught, and loved without expecting anything in return. He praised those who had great faith — not great wealth. He never said, “I’ll help you if you can afford me.”

Now, I understand — we all have bills to pay and responsibilities to meet. But at what point did helping others become about profit first? We’ve created a world where value is measured by cost, and compassion is something we schedule — if there’s time.

I can’t help but think of the Amish community, where people still come together to rebuild a neighbor’s barn after a fire. No contracts. No invoices. Just hearts and hands willing to serve. Their offerings from worship go back into their community, not into building bigger churches (they gather in their homes) or buying flashier things. They give what is needed and take only what sustains.

What if we all lived more Christlike, less self-serving?

It’s not about rejecting comforts or feeling guilty for blessings. It’s about asking ourselves: At what cost do I have this? Did I take advantage of someone to get it? Did I overcharge when I could have helped instead?

The world’s constant message is more, more, more. Bigger homes. Higher prices. “Status” brands made of cheaper materials that harm the earth. Yet the teachings of Christ remind us that less is often more — more peace, more contentment, more connection.

Our systems are built to raise prices endlessly, and we follow suit, feeling we must “keep up.” Bread in the Great Depression was .08 cents a loaf. Today it is between $2-$6 dollars on average. But when does it stop? When all our resources are depleted? When the poor can no longer survive? When compassion is replaced by competition?

No — it stops when we choose differently.

When we start asking, What would Jesus do? before making decisions — big or small. When we bring God back into our homes, schools, and communities. When we measure our success not by wealth, but by kindness, integrity, and faith.

We can’t fix the world overnight, but we can live each day to reflect Him more clearly — in our choices, our words, our work, and our giving.

Let’s start there. Let’s live to be Christlike.

Prayer of Reflection

Heavenly Father,Help us to walk each day with hearts that mirror Yours. Teach us to see beyond wealth, status, or gain, and to find joy in serving others as Jesus did — freely and with love. Remind us that true success is measured not in what we own, but in how we give, forgive, and live in kindness. Let our actions shine with Your light so that others may see You through us. May we choose compassion over comfort, generosity over greed, and faith over fear. In all things, let us ask: What would Jesus do? — and may our answer always bring honor to You.

Amen.

Peace,

M. Marie