Welcome, again I have a busy week and will not be able to write a commentary. I am going to reprint a portion from the notes I receive when I attend Harry Wendt’s monthly class. I recommend that you click on the link on the left side of this blog to get a complete copy of the notes for yourself. They are very interesting and worthwhile. You also have the option of listening to the podcast of the class I attend where Harry goes into more depth with the text.
This Sunday is “stewardship” Sunday. Webster’s defines Stewardship “as careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. It is interesting that the definition doesn’t mention money specifically. Jesus taught that everything belongs to God. He created it and He owns it ALL. We own nothing, we created nothing, we use what God created. God has entrusted the use of His resources (creation) into our care, he didn’t give them to us to own but rather we are God’s stewards (managers). He has given us money to use; it is not ours to hang onto with iron fists. When we make a pledge on this Sunday it isn’t about giving God a portion of our money but it is actually returning to God what he owns already and has lent to us to manage. We are called to manage and share His resources with our brothers and sisters in our kingdom families and even those outside of the kingdom so that they may know God’s love for them too. When we change our views of our money to one of God’s resources it changes our perceptions of it and we can loosen our grip on it. Money is a tool for us to use to further God’s Kingdom.
The following was authored by Harry Wendt:
Let’s give thought to some of the powerful insights within Luke’s larger narrative.
1. We mere humans live on a planet that God made and owns, and reside in bodies that God lends us. We are never owners; we are only users of Another’s property.
2. Earthly systems see “being blessed” in terms of what people (supposedly) possess and enjoy. However, those who belong to Jesus’ Kingdom are to measure “being blessed” in terms of reflecting Jesus’ servant lifestyle.
3. Those who devote life to making known Jesus’ real message and will for humanity cannot expect immediate applause. However, the Spirit seeks to uses our words and witness to transform opponents of Jesus into advocates for Jesus.
4. Throughout life, we are to forgive other people for what they are and work at helping them become what God wants.
5. Jesus does not call His followers to focus merely on the life to come. He calls them to live the heavenly lifestyle this side of heaven.
6. If we who carry out Jesus’ ministry do so to seek the applause of others, we invalidate our ministry. We are to seek only the smiling approval of Jesus.
7. We live in a troubled and confused world. The only hope for humanity is to focus on understanding, sharing, and living the radical message of Jesus in relation to the Kingdom of God.
8. It is possible that “the good old days” may never return to Planet Earth prior to our Lord’s reappearing. No matter! What we possess does not matter. Whom we reflect does. At all times, we are to seek to live simply (as did Jesus), so that others might simply live. Sad to say, although God has provided abundantly for the needs of humanity, humanity has not shared compassionately what God has provided.
9. Throughout life, our prayer must be, “Thy will, not my will, be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Empower me to know and do that will.”
10. Thank God that we know His plan for time and eternity! Because we know it, we can live with meaning and in peace, and bid farewell to life in this world with sure hope and true joy.
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