Are We Really Rich?

 

Good Morning Friends,

 

Not all widows are poor and not all widows are generous, but whether wealthy or not they can help us to learn the nature of impressing God with real giving. The discussion though is deeper and centers on whether we own things or things own us. And this prompts a question about what we choose to reinforce desired behavior. So today we explore the reality that if we love money we will never be satisfied. If we are addicted we will always want more. But if we love God and others we might just discover real satisfaction and a treasure that is eternal. So we ask, Are We Really Rich?

 

Scripture: He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

 

Mark 12:41-44 (NRSV)

 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NRSV)

 

I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.

 

Philippians 4:12 (NRSV)

 

As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.

 

1 Timothy 6:17-21 (NRSV)

 

A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

 

Luke 18:18-22 (NRSV)

 

Message: Friends, make no mistake about this, money is trapped energy waiting to be released for God’s purposes. It is released when we release our will to God….released when we open our eyes to the wide wonder of the world. This is not a message about stewardship giving. The message here is more transformational than writing a check. It is about embracing a life of worshipping God. Let’s look at the scripture story of the widow’s mite. Now today’s widows may indeed be very wealthy, but widows during the time of Christ were not highly regarded. They did not inherit wealth or typically make it independently. Today’s scripture reaches beyond these changes in society to teach us the power of being totally dependent upon God. It challenges us to go out and risk it all. Friends, in ministry I am surrounded with people society calls rich (retired executives of corporations) and poor (unemployed victims of economic downturns and natural disasters, immigrant farm workers and children.) Sometimes they get together and amazing things happen. Jesus shows up and we learn firsthand about the rich being poor and the poor being rich. Christ’s transformative presence in culture knows something about influence and power that we typically miss. In today’s scripture we are told a story about how those with nothing to lose are prepared to take risks that the wealth encumbered are not. We are given a story to instruct us in the emotions of giving and living. Friends, because Jesus did not hold anything back and put his entire life onto the cross to pay for sins, we have the opportunity to experience the Kingdom of God. Friends, God wants all your life not just part of it. So are you ready, willing and able to see, appreciate and use what God has given you? Are you ready to share? If not then you are missing out on the real life and possibly even the salvation God has planned for you. That really is the test of whether or not we are really rich.

 

Pray that the Word of God richly dwell in us. Pray we realize that to be wealthy is to know Jesus Christ. Pray we have pace in all circumstances. Pray we have gratitude, contentment and discover the abundant life found in sharing the eternal riches found in loving others. Pray we not make money our God. Pray we have a lifestyle is all in. Pray we be prepared to give it all up for the sake of God. Pray we are never lukewarm for God. Pray we understand the nature of influence and power in new ways. Pray we are challenged, but love anyway. Pray we are faithful. Pray we keep our minds in Christ Jesus always. Pray we understand the power of real giving. Pray that we become examples of God’s blessings before others. Pray we are filled to overflowing.

 

Blessings,

 

John Lawson