Today's lessons strike a discomforting note to most of us in the Western World. The world's wealthiest 16 percent use 80 percent of natural resources.
Luk 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
Let's begin by pointing out that it isn't a sin to be successful and be financially secure. However we might want to take a look at how that wealth was procured, how it is disposed, and whether or not our lives are caught up in it's maintenance and growth.
There is little prophesy involved Amos predictions. Then as now it is the rich and influential who are held hostage as it is they who are most likely to reap rich ransoms. The poor and weak are not worth the bother unless they have strong backs and slave labour is required.
What's important to remember when reading the Psalm today is that we are the means by which the Lord accomplishes all these great things.
Our epistle lesson contains several off-quoted passages.
Money is the root of all evil. We can't take it with us.
The important thing to concentrate on here is not the wealth of this world which is passing but the Kingdom of God which is eternal and where wealth enriches us forever. The last three verses describe how to lay up wealth there:
1Ti 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1Ti 6:18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
1Ti 6:19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
The Gospel lesson contains the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. While on earth the Rich Man was wealthy in the things of this earth; after death he is poor in spirit and tortured by the fact of his apartness from the means of grace. It is the final verses that appeal to my sarcastic nature:
Luk 16:27 The rich man said, 'Then I beg you, father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father's house,
Luk 16:28 where I have five brothers. Let him go and warn them so that they, at least, will not come to this place of pain.'
Luk 16:29 Abraham said, 'Your brothers have Moses and the prophets to warn them; your brothers should listen to what they say.'
Luk 16:30 The rich man answered, 'That is not enough, father Abraham! But if someone were to rise from death and go to them, then they would turn from their sins.'
Luk 16:31 But Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone were to rise from death.' "
The irony here is palpable.
To me at least Heaven and Hell are not physical locations but states of spiritual being. The ability to have faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit and acceptance of the means of grace frees us from the shame and guilt of sin enabling us to experience the Peace of God which is everlasting. Entering the Kingdom of God places us in a realm beyond time and space, life or death. Heaven begins here on earth, it is not pie in the sky bye and bye. Hell, then, is separation from the Love of God. The punishment of sin is sin itself as it places a gulf between us and that peace; no further penalties are necessary.
No comments:
Post a Comment