| Lately, I’ve been thinking about the interplay between generosity, greed, making money, and giving money. Many times, Christ’s followers struggle with making money. Sometimes people feel guilty about prosperity. It is interesting that the Bible never faults those who make money. How they make money and how they spend money is a different story, but the making of it through honest and hardworking means is never faulted. The opposite is true for it is seen as a blessing. The key is the heart—as it is with all things. Not the blood-pumping organ in one’s chest, but the seat of one’s desire, their identity. In Luke 12, Jesus put his finger on the heart of the issue [pardon the pun, I couldn’t help myself]. Jesus addressed the crowd by telling a story about the connection between making money, spending money, and one’s heart. Read Luke 12:13-21. The issue isn’t that the man’s fields prospered. The issue is that God ceased to be his supreme treasure. If God had been his treasure, what would he have done differently? Instead of saying, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry,” he would have said something like: “God, this is all yours. You have made my fields prosper. Show me how to express with my riches that you are my treasure, and the riches are not. I already have enough. I don’t need a bigger and bigger safety net. I don’t need better food, better drink, or better parties. I do indeed want to make merry, but not at self-indulgent parties with rich retirees. I want to make merry with the people who have been helped by my generosity. I want the fullest blessing of giving. Because you taught me, Lord, it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” We are called to be generous which is never about a number or dollar amount. It is a lifestyle where one acknowledges God’s presence in the world and seeks to follow him by blessing others as one has been blessed. Find ways to bless someone this week!  This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Mark 1, Mark 2 *Tuesday -Mark 3, Mark 4 *Wednesday – Mark 6, Mark 7 *Thursday – Mark 8 Mark 9 *Friday – Mark 10, Mark 11 Prayer Requests: *Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. *Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. *Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. *Guidance for those seeking to find their way. *Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |