“My piece of bread only belongs to me when I know that everyone else has a share, and that no one starves while I eat.” — Leo Tolstoy

Numbers 1-24

Holiness is not “holier than thou” or religious perfectionism — it is simply a life that works well because we’re rooted in another world, the Kingdom of God. Holiness is the power to act as we ought, to be response-able, able to respond with appropriate power to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”- Exodus 4:2

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. – Genesis 50:19-21

We are sinners simply because we choose to sin or live selfishly. Ability is always the measure of responsibility. God has given us the ability to direct our lives, either according to intelligence in recognition of our obligation to God and our fellowmen, or according to selfishness and unintelligence in the supreme seeking of our own happiness. – Gordon Olson

Introduction