Thought for Today

Psalm 1:1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3  They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.  

Luke 18:22 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."

“Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, the gospel of success, or seed faith) is a religious belief among some Charismatic Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one's material wealth. Material and especially financial success is seen as a sign of divine favor.” (Wikipedia)

These Days this morning continues the theme “Glimmers of Hope.” I was intrigued by one sentence I read, “God wants us to prosper: to grow, to love, to produce much fruit.” Few Christians would argue with the idea that God wants all of God’s Creation to flourish. The question is, what exactly does that mean? What is the correlation between material wealth, financial success and holiness?

Our ancestors-in-the-faith struggled to understand the correlation between material prosperity and devotion. Then as now, some who are wealthy are devout, some are not. Abraham was wealthy by the standards of his time. Abraham was also judged faithful and blessed by God. Was Abraham wealthy because of his faith? Was it easy for Abraham to believe and worship God because Abraham was rich?

Is there a correlation between wealth and faith? The Prosperity theology mentioned above suggests “YES!” I do not believe Wikipedia correct in limiting that idea to “some Charismatic Christians.” At some level and to some degree, the association of God’s blessing with material wealth permeates most societies. Piety is “the quality of being religious or reverent.” (Bing search) Demonstrative, overt piety is rampant in politics. Think how often you have seen pictures of politicians holding a Bible or attending worship services. Yet, repeatedly, some of those same politicians have demonstrated through their policies and lifestyles that they are totally unfamiliar with the teachings of the Bible. Conversely, some like President Carter have demonstrated that they are not only intimately aware of those teachings, but that they live lives devoted to those teachings. What is the correlation between material wealth, financial success and holiness? Is there a correlation between wealth and faith?

For Christians, the answer lies in that verse from Matthew and in the Parable of the Rich Man. Maybe it also lies in Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites. “Joshua 24:15 . . . choose this day whom you will serve . . . “ “Matthew 6:24 ‘No one can serve two masters . . . “ Recall the ‘rest of the story’ about that rich man, “Luke 18:23 But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 He replied, "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God."

God loves God’s Creation and all God’s creatures. God sent God’s Son to redeem that Creation and those creatures. The important things in life are not about or measured by power, wealth or ‘things.’ The important thing in life is one’s choice about whom (or what) one will serve. In the tag line from the movie Ghostbusters, “Who ya gonna call?” “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Being rich, being wealthy is not sinful. President Carter was wealthy. But, throughout his entire life, President Carter served God.

Stay safe, choose wisely whom you will serve, trust God,

Pastor Ray