Daily Scripture: Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves wealth here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and burglars break in and steal. 20 Instead, store up for yourselves wealth in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and burglars do not break in or steal. 21 For where your wealth is, there your heart will be also. 22 ‘The eye is the lamp of the body.’ So if you have a ‘good eye’ [that is, if you are generous] your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if you have an ‘evil eye’ [if you are stingy] your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No one can be slave to two masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can’t be a slave to both God and money.
Luke 16:10 Someone who is trustworthy in a small matter is also trustworthy in large ones, and someone who is dishonest in a small matter is also dishonest in large ones. 11 So if you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who is going to trust you with the real thing? 12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what ought to belong to you? 13 No servant can be slave to two masters, for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can’t be a slave to both God and money.”
14 The P’rushim heard all this, and since they were money-lovers, they ridiculed him. 15 He said to them, “You people make yourselves look righteous to others, but God knows your hearts; what people regard highly is an abomination before God!
Reflection Questions:Jesus' teaching echoed the wisdom of ancient Hebrew sages in saying that obsessively amassing the “treasures” of this world does not produce a satisfying life (cf. Proverbs 14:22,21:20). Sadly, many religious leaders in Jesus' day overlooked or ignored that part of their tradition. But Jesus said treasure in heaven, treasure by God’s standards, is the most precious item we can “collect.” Our heart follows our treasure—and what we treasure shows where our heart’s loyalties really lie.
- Jesus didn’t say we "shouldn’t" serve both God and money. He said we "cannot" do that. (The Greek word translated "money" meant all types of material goods.) Our hearts have room for only one ultimate master. When you face ethical choices, or career or family decisions, what determines your course: God’s values, or the material and social payoffs you expect?
- Jesus was not opposed to wealth. He was opposed to putting wealth above God in life’s priorities. The Message rendered Luke 16:14 this way: “When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch.” Does Jesus’ teaching about worldly wealth and true riches seem “out of touch” to you? Does it challenge you? Does it inspire you?
Heavenly Father, sometimes my priorities get out of order, in little things or even in big things. I offer myself to you as my true master. Help me prioritize you above all else in my life. Amen.Insights from Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill is the Guest Connections Program Director at Resurrection.
I think my husband hates it when I watch HGTV or spend time on Pinterest. Usually because he hears the words “we could do that” afterward. Which is really code for “Can you make that for me?” I’m grateful that I’m married to a very talented man who every so often takes me up on my request and makes something great for me. (Which, of course, I generally take credit for.) It’s not that watching home improvement shows is inherently evil; they actually often share money saving ideas. It’s that they can create a spirit of dissatisfaction in me. All of a sudden our home that just yesterday was comfortable and satisfying is now hopelessly out of date and definitely in need of a complete makeover.
During these times I so desperately need to be reminded of the cost of the pursuit of wealth (or better stuff). Jesus recognized the danger in wealth. It’s not that wealth is evil in and of itself. It is the dissatisfaction and discontent that it can fuel that is so dangerous. It divides our loyalties. It’s hard to keep our focus on Jesus if we are constantly worried about how we are perceived by others, how to get the next faster, cool gadget, or how new counter tops would completely change our kitchens.
In the parable of the seeds we are reminded of the true cost of focusing on the pursuit of wealth:
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. (Luke 8:14)
When we take our eyes off Jesus and put our focus on the pursuit of more material possessions, we miss out on the opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with him. We forget how grateful we were when we received the blessings we’ve been given. Maybe most important, we forget that they aren’t really ours to begin with.
So maybe that carpet is good for another year or two–hardwood floors are over rated. The kids and pets are just going to make messes anyway, right? What are you pursuing ahead of your relationship with God? How is that pursuit choking the opportunity to become more mature in your faith journey?
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
I think my husband hates it when I watch HGTV or spend time on Pinterest. Usually because he hears the words “we could do that” afterward. Which is really code for “Can you make that for me?” I’m grateful that I’m married to a very talented man who every so often takes me up on my request and makes something great for me. (Which, of course, I generally take credit for.) It’s not that watching home improvement shows is inherently evil; they actually often share money saving ideas. It’s that they can create a spirit of dissatisfaction in me. All of a sudden our home that just yesterday was comfortable and satisfying is now hopelessly out of date and definitely in need of a complete makeover.
During these times I so desperately need to be reminded of the cost of the pursuit of wealth (or better stuff). Jesus recognized the danger in wealth. It’s not that wealth is evil in and of itself. It is the dissatisfaction and discontent that it can fuel that is so dangerous. It divides our loyalties. It’s hard to keep our focus on Jesus if we are constantly worried about how we are perceived by others, how to get the next faster, cool gadget, or how new counter tops would completely change our kitchens.
In the parable of the seeds we are reminded of the true cost of focusing on the pursuit of wealth:
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. (Luke 8:14)
When we take our eyes off Jesus and put our focus on the pursuit of more material possessions, we miss out on the opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with him. We forget how grateful we were when we received the blessings we’ve been given. Maybe most important, we forget that they aren’t really ours to begin with.
So maybe that carpet is good for another year or two–hardwood floors are over rated. The kids and pets are just going to make messes anyway, right? What are you pursuing ahead of your relationship with God? How is that pursuit choking the opportunity to become more mature in your faith journey?
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
---------------------
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment