You May Have Heard It Said… that God helps those who help themselves. But do you know who said that? It wasn’t Jesus. It isn’t even in the Bible. If you have read our October newsletter you may know, that while it’s not original to Benjamin Franklin, he popularized this saying back in 1733 in his Poor Richard Almanac. But Benjamin Franklin wasn’t a Christian leader. He was a Deist – someone who believed that God set the world in motion but that after that, God left people to fend for themselves. This is not a Christian message. As Christians, we believe that not only did God create the world but that God is continually active in our world and in our lives. We also believe that Jesus calls us – commands us -- to love and care for our neighbor – the other - …. just as Jesus loves and cares for us.
During this stewardship season, the stewardship team – including Vicar Karen and I – hope to “debunk” some of the old tropes, that You May Have Heard … but don’t reflect what Jesus said about money and us. So let’s see what Jesus has to say about money.
Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew reads a bit like the book of Proverbs, with several wisdom sayings strung together. For example, Jesus says, “you can’t serve God and wealth.”
Some people have understood this verse to mean that wealth and money are bad. But I don’t think that is what Jesus is saying. Certainly, some, like St. Francis of Assisi and some religious orders feel called to a life of poverty in order to focus on God and service to others. And, for those who are called in that way, this is admirable. But the Greek word for wealth – also translated as “Mammon” or, in the Message Bible as “bags of money” – does not depict money, in itself, as something that is evil.
The problem comes if wealth or money or anything else is valued above God.
And yet, Jesus knew our human nature. As Bob Dylan once wrote in a popular song, “You’ve got to serve somebody. It might be the devil or it might be the Lord, but you’ve got to serve somebody.” Jesus knows that seeking wealth is tempting. Wealth brings with it access to power and status and security. But, as Paul writes in 1st Corinithians – he gladly gave up his status, his security, his power and his priviledge in Roman society and in his synagogue, everything that he once valued, all for a relationship with Jesus Christ. Money couldn’t buy what Jesus freely gave.
You may have heard it said, “follow your heart… and then the money will follow.” But Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” It’s actually the reverse of what one might expect. You might assume – that if you love something – you will naturally financially support it. But Jesus knows how we are wired. Jesus knows that when we invest in something – with our money, our time, our skills, our gifts, , everything that we treasure… then our heart follows.
Some of you may remember Don and Lorraine Dorff. They were a beautiful couple, clearly devoted to one another. Don cared for Lorraine in their home long after her memory made it difficult to do so, and then he had lunch with her, every day, at the nursing home. They were also faithful members here. They shared their gifts of time and talent. Lorraine, a schoolteacher, taught Sunday School when she was able and Don was a faithful usher. They gave faithfully of their financial resources too. They loved their church community. They were part of a group that liked to go out to eat after church – at McDonalds. They were not big spenders. The only thing that Lorraine did that was a bit excessive was the number of books she owned. When I visited them the books lined the shelves, the tables and spilled out in piles on the floor. Lorraine loved to read.
They were pretty humble people and they were happy. Don always expressed his content - despite the challenges that came their way with his diabetes and memory loss for Lorraine. They loved God and they loved their Christian community. Their treasure was here. And so – unbeknownst to anyone here - they put the church in their will. Their final gift to the church is what helped us update the church building and burn the mortgage, saving tons of money in interest. Clearly, they loved Jesus and loved their Faith-Lilac Way family. And we are grateful for them and for all of the gifts of their time, their talent, their treasure and themselves.
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.
Don and Lorraine’s love story with each other and with Faith-Lilac Way is not unique to them. I know that there are many others who serve God and serve this community in Christ in many ways. And I give thanks and this church gives thanks to God for you. But I can’t tell your story. That is for you to share. But I can tell you a part of mine.
When I was called to this church twenty five years ago, I was eager to come. Being a pastor was what I had trained to do and I felt called to this work. But, I’ll confess… I was conflicted. You see, I was a parent of a one year old little boy. How could I serve God and this parish and also be a good mother to this little one? Could I really be both a pastor and a parent?
I received the answer to my question at my ordination service. There is a part in the service in which the candidate for ministry comes forward to receive the laying on of hands and to have scripture read. I remember that my family came forward with me. And I will never forget what happened when I knelt down to receive the blessing of scripture and the laying on of hands. My son saw me and began to cry… loudly. As I’m kneeling down, out of the corner of my eye I can see my mother holding him and trying to comfort him. I could tell that she was torn as to what to do. She was half-heartedly headed towards the door to take her grandson out but I knew she really wanted to be there for the laying on of hands. I looked at her and, without even thinking, I held out my hands and she placed him in my arms. He snuggled in – and we were both blessed.
Somehow, I had forgotten that I didn’t have to choose between being a pastor and a parent. Putting God first does not mean ignoring the other parts of our lives. It does mean that we are inviting God’s fingerprints to be on everything that we touch and everything that we have.
And that includes how we invest our time and our talents and our treasure. Ever since that moment, I have been investing in this place by sharing the gifts, skills, and time that God has given me. My family and I have been investing in this place financially by giving generously of the money and resources that God has given to us. Every year, we try to increase our gifts. And, just as Jesus said, I have found that where my treasure is there my heart is too. I have been blessed and I invite you to join me and my family in investing in this church too.
Where your treasure is – there your heart will be. Thanks be to God, Amen.