40 Words of Lent: RICHES (3/11/2021)

 

If I had a million dollars.... (see song link below)

Have you ever imagined what you could/would do if you received $1,000,000 (tax free)?

               What would you use it for first?
                        Pay off debts?
                             Buy something expensive?

                                  Invest it or put it in a savings account or the like?
                                       Give some to family and/or friends?

                                               Donate to your church or a charity?

Jesus said to the rich man: 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.” But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:18-25)

In this story as well as others similar to it, being rich doesn't seem like a good thing in relationship to being a disciple. Jesus has more to say about money and wealth than about just about any other aspect of our lives.  He knows how important it is as a part of our daily lives.

Yet, he also knows how much our "riches" (whatever the amount) can grow in importance until it becomes the only thing of importance.  How many stories have we heard about those who win the lottery and eventually end up in debt and/or estranged from family and friends.

Scripture also tells us: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (I Timothy 6:10)

and

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) 

It is not riches in and of  itself that is either good or bad.  Money is a tool that we use to live in the world, but it does not bring us the fullness of life that we need.  It is inanimate and while it helps us eat, have shelter and the like, it does not bring life.

Jesus asks us to give up our dependence upon riches - for they will fade away (only need to watch the stock market to see how fickle money can be).  It is not about the amount of money, but rather the amount or priority that it takes in our lives.  While we may need money to live today, it cannot be the primary force or motivation in our lives.

Thinking back to what you might do with a million dollars, how might our faith change our decisions?  

Song link: https://open.spotify.com/track/0KeDuUqEX3P0cKzRD5pEom?si=623a544c3a38444e