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March 12, 2008
In Pastor's Words
Sharing Our Wealth
Have you ever considered yourself to be wealthy? When we compare ourselves to others around us we might not think of ourselves as rich. We are constantly bombarded with information and images that tell us we need the latest model or the newest technology in order to just keep up with those around us. But did you know that in the eyes of most of the world we are the ones who are wealthy? I heard some statistics recently from a pastor named Rob Bell that really gave me perspective on this - The United States contains about 6% of the world’s population, but we consume 40% of its resources. Only 8% of people in the world own an automobile. That means 92% of the world looks at me driving around in my car and considers me to be rich. Somewhere around a billion people don’t have access to clean drinking water. Around 800 million people won’t eat today, and 300 million of them are children. Around a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. In our world, we might not feel rich. But in the eyes of the world, we are a people who are richly blessed.
As Easter approaches and we focus in a special way on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, I’m overwhelmed by the riches we have been given in Christ. The Apostle Paul said - “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). We are so privileged, and so wealthy!
All of this begs the question – what should we do with all of this wealth? The Bible gives us lots of insight on this question. For the sake of space I’ll focus on one particular passage of Scripture - “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). We who are rich are commanded to be rich in good deeds. We must use our material wealth to bless those who are poor in material things, and our spiritual wealth in Christ to bless those who are spiritually poor. This could mean supporting the local food and clothing bank by donating time and materials, or sponsoring a child through an organization like Compassion International. It could also mean inviting someone to church on Easter Sunday, reaching out in love to someone who needs kindness and fellowship, sending a card or letter to someone who needs encouragement, and talking with someone about the hope that you have in Christ. What opportunities do you have to bless others with your spiritual and material wealth? May each of us celebrate Easter by being rich in good deeds, and in doing so may we take hold of the life that is truly life!
Pastor Steve
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at March 12, 2008 03:47 PM