Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43 • Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 and Psalm 49:1-12 • Colossians 3:1-11 • Luke 12:13-21
In "Soul Investment" The Rev. Kathryn M. Matthews asks us what makes us secure, and what is of value to us - what do our possessions mean to us, and what do we do with them.
Notice the contrast between Joseph storing up grain in preparation for famine and the rich farmer in Jesus' parable. What are the differences in perspective, what they do, and who they do it for?
What do we worry about? This is particularly relevant today, not only in finances and economics, individually, nationally and internationally, but in terms of security. What is Jesus' answer to our priorities, and worry?
As Debie Thomas says in "Rich Toward God,"we don't like talking about money. She wrestles with Jesus' answer to the perfectly good request of the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. He was not asking for unfairness or something unreasonable. What was Jesus' reply? It helps to see what Jesus sees - what is going through the man's mind and experience. What do you get from the parable of the rich man who planned to build more barns to store his wealth to enjoy in his retirement, but whose life was taken from him that night. So it is, Jesus says, with those who store up treasures for themselves, but are not "rich toward God." What does he mean? As Debie Thomas says "Be rich toward God. Don't shy away. Be brave and wrestle with what this invitation means, because the richness we spend on God is the only richness we'll keep in the end."
As Debie Thomas says in "Rich Toward God,"we don't like talking about money. She wrestles with Jesus' answer to the perfectly good request of the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide an inheritance with him. He was not asking for unfairness or something unreasonable. What was Jesus' reply? It helps to see what Jesus sees - what is going through the man's mind and experience. What do you get from the parable of the rich man who planned to build more barns to store his wealth to enjoy in his retirement, but whose life was taken from him that night. So it is, Jesus says, with those who store up treasures for themselves, but are not "rich toward God." What does he mean? As Debie Thomas says "Be rich toward God. Don't shy away. Be brave and wrestle with what this invitation means, because the richness we spend on God is the only richness we'll keep in the end."
Starting with the life of St. Francis, Dan Clendenin gives an excellent account of the complexities of life issues concerning wealth, possessions, and greed in "Be On Your Guard. "
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