November 12 – Your Money or Your Life?
Mark 12:38-44
The gospel begins with Jesus sharp criticism of the scribes. Back then most folks were illiterate. Scribes were religious teachers who could
both read and write - hence the designation “scribe”, writer. The title differentiated them from an
ordinary rabbi, who probably depended on memorizing the scriptures.
Scribes were the religious experts - leaders.
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This is a true story about an expert.
It took place at a banquet in Washington, D. C. All the big names were out in their finery.
A White house staffer overheard one of the guests turn to the woman
next to him: “Did I get your name correctly?
Are you the Emily Post?”
“Yes”.
“So you are the world renowned expert on good
manners?”
“Yes. But why do you ask?”
“Because you are eating my salad.”
Experts don’t always practice what they preach. I might have illustrated with that
conservative evangelical leader in
Beware of the scribes – those interpreters of
religious laws, who like to walk around in long robes - be greeted with respect
- have the best seats up front at worship and places of honor at social functions.
Mark 12:38
The scribes are accused of loving religious show and honors
- of using their religious learning to enhance their egos and even line
their pockets. Maybe some of you
are thinking: “Preachers haven’t
changed much in 2,000 years.”
Preachers are probably still not good examples of piety.
Experts may provide insight and even guidance – but the honor belongs
to God. We don’t follow religious
leaders, but rather we follow Jesus.
Leaders are helpful when they point us to Him, but finally our real
guide is Christ, who is present and active in His Word, the scriptures. He gives us His Spirit through the Word – not
through preachers or ministers. We are
to be mature Christians, who read and ponder the Bible that we may discern what
is right and wrong. Lutherans have
generally had a healthy skepticism regarding those in authority. Because we believe Christ’s Spirit does speak
to us individually through the Word - the scriptures. So don’t tale my word for things, but rather
listen for His voice speaking directly to you through the words of the Bible.
That’s one reason why it is important to gather in small groups or
classes where we study the Bible. Together, we can each listen to God speak to
us through His Word, then share our insights and concerns, thus grow in faith
and understanding. While we can hold
each other accountable to that word, finally our conscience is accountable only
to God. So Jesus reminds us, “Beware
of the scribes – those expert interpreters of religious laws…”
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Moving away from the uncomfortable subject of church leaders, I read a
parable about two good church members:
One had a great job and a handsome income – money in the bank and
investments. He was a good church
member, who served on the council and occasionally taught Sunday School. The pastor
appreciated his large gift to the building fund.
The second member was a single mother.
She works nights at Wal-Mart as a janitor to support her two children,
but she’s in church each Sunday and helps with the nursery.. After paying all the bills, there isn’t much
left, but her modest monetary offering is a considerable personal sacrifice for
her.
Which of these two fine members makes the greater contribution to the
church?
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While you ponder that, another story.
A man called the church office and got the secretary. Impatiently he said “I want to speak to the
big guy – the head hog at the trough.”
The secretary replied with a tone of annoyance, “If you mean our
pastor, you should show more respect .”
“Well then forget it. I was
calling because I wanted to give $10,000 to the building fund.”
“Hang on, the big pig just walked in the door.”
Isn’t that the natural way to view things? Money talks.
But in the gospel Jesus says, it’s not God’s way.
He would teach us God’s new math.
Jesus and the disciples watch people making their offering, dropping it
in a large brass receptacle. There was no paper money, only coins of various
sizes. The rich offer large sums – you
can hear a loud noise as the big coins are dropped in. Then a poor widow came
and put in two small copper coins – just a plunk, plunk. Not very impressive
Jesus concluded:
Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those
who are contributing. For all of them
have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in
everything she had. Mark 12:43
Jesus new math seems
odd. He said her contribution - her two
cents was more than all the other offerings. But those other folks were putting in tens
and twenties - writing checks for larger amounts.
To make any sense of Jesus pronouncement, we must view the scene
from God’s perspective and note the contrast between those religious
leaders and that widow.
Then we see a woman whose action was directed solely to God,
in contrast to the scribes - the religious leaders - who
sought the approval and honor of others.
A widow who was not afraid to offer all that she had with
her to the Lord - genuine sacrifice - in contrast to the scribes who saw
religion as a means to get
something in God’s name.
A woman of faith - she trusted that the Lord provides and will continue
to provide for her. . . she places her life in
God’s hands.
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Let me put this passage in context.
Just a few verses before today’s reading, a scribe asked Jesus “Which is
the most important commandment?”
Jesus replied quoting the Schema
which includes the great commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
The scribe agreed with Jesus that the most important thing is to love
God, but we the reader, are left with the question:
What does it mean to love God with all you have?
Then, just a few verses later Jesus pointed to that widow as an example
of one who revealed what it meant to love God with all ones heart
and mind and strength.
A love that is reciprocal. A love that is willing to
give all - and at the same time is confident that it will receive -
and so a love that engenders both faith and hope.
Love and Faith - trusting in God’s providence and
mercy.
She can offer what she has in thanksgiving because she trusts God to
care for her. And because she
trusts God, she has hope for tomorrow.
Love and Faith and Hope - A hope based not on her present
circumstance - Hope not even based on what she might perceive God to be doing
right now.
But rather, hope grounded in
what God has done - and what God will do.
Love God and trust Him, which is faith.
And that faith produces hope.
Because Jesus promises when I commit my life to Him,
- as I seek His will and His way,
He will make sure I have the other things I need.
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According to Jesus, what matters is not the size of your gift, it’s the seriousness of your commitment. As widow’s gift makes clear, Jesus doesn’t
want your money, he wants your life. All of it. Every bit of it.
We are challenged to a life of commitment to Christ in which we join
together in the work of His kingdom.
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If you really want to know what's important to you - what you're committed to - look at your calendar
and your check book. I don't' care
what you say is important, the way you spend your time and money shows
what is really important.
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Today we honor our military – those who now serve, and those who have
completed their service.
Military service requires commitment and sacrifice.
Commitment to our nation and to the military way of life; to the
mission and to those we serve with.
It’s a commitment that calls for personal sacrifice – even a
willingness to give your life.
So military service is an example of what Jesus teaches in the
gospel. As Christians, we are committed
to Christ and His mission – Committed to His church and to one another.
A commitment that calls for sacrifice – challenges us to offer our
lives - our
energy and intelligence, our imagination and love. We contribute our time and talent – we share
the best of what we have – to build the kingdom in this place.
Divine power is released in active collaboration and sharing – putting
what we have into the work of Christ.
Again today you’re invited to re-commit yourself to Christ at the
offering. No, not the
offering of money, but rather that familiar offering prayer when individually
and together we offer ourselves to Christ, thus committing ourselves to Him.
We’ll pray, Merciful Father,
we offer
with joy and thanksgiving, what you have first given us – our selves, our time,
our talent, our energy – everything… Use
us in your work.