Grow rich in God’s sight: change value systems, have economic justice for all, know what counts─this is the wisdom of God In the reading from Ecclesiastes we hear how nothing of this world remains, that everything passes. It is easy for the “possessor” to become the possessed—remember the story of King Midas?
Treasure, however, is not the actual wealth you are graced to possess: food, clothing, homes, transportation, a job--treasure is talent and ability and the priority for your time spent on earth. You may not have the financial resources to throw money at charities, (although that is better than nothing), so how about lending a helping hand? What about the treasure of your time and talent? Remember: to those who are given much (earthly wealth, beauty, talent, ability, brains, etc.) much (more!) is expected. All the ‘treasure’ you have comes from God, and is a gift from God to be shared, developed and re-gifted for the Kingdom.
We all share in the Father’s legacy of salvation (and creation). Any negligence, or compromise or greed or waste on our part jeopardizes our relationship with Him. Our lives cannot be made secure by stuff. (There is that old joke about the funeral director who attaches a u-haul to a casket in order for the deceased to take his stuff with him…) Our life is in heaven and we do not enter heaven with stuff. The attendant attitude of the “wealthy” is one of false security and self-sufficiency. (Vanity of vanities!)
In the Gospel parable by Jesus we hear: “But God said to him [and to us] ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things [stuff!] you have prepared, to whom will they belong? Thus it will be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Last week we heard about the importance of persistence in prayer; this week it might be wise to apply this persistence to ponder and pray about what really matters to God.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Treasure, however, is not the actual wealth you are graced to possess: food, clothing, homes, transportation, a job--treasure is talent and ability and the priority for your time spent on earth. You may not have the financial resources to throw money at charities, (although that is better than nothing), so how about lending a helping hand? What about the treasure of your time and talent? Remember: to those who are given much (earthly wealth, beauty, talent, ability, brains, etc.) much (more!) is expected. All the ‘treasure’ you have comes from God, and is a gift from God to be shared, developed and re-gifted for the Kingdom.
We all share in the Father’s legacy of salvation (and creation). Any negligence, or compromise or greed or waste on our part jeopardizes our relationship with Him. Our lives cannot be made secure by stuff. (There is that old joke about the funeral director who attaches a u-haul to a casket in order for the deceased to take his stuff with him…) Our life is in heaven and we do not enter heaven with stuff. The attendant attitude of the “wealthy” is one of false security and self-sufficiency. (Vanity of vanities!)
In the Gospel parable by Jesus we hear: “But God said to him [and to us] ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things [stuff!] you have prepared, to whom will they belong? Thus it will be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Last week we heard about the importance of persistence in prayer; this week it might be wise to apply this persistence to ponder and pray about what really matters to God.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
RSS Feed
