Preachin’ & Meddlin’
Pastor David L. Hansen
Lectionary 19 (August 12), 2007
Luke 12:32-40
Grace and peace to you in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
There is a great saying where I come from in the hills of Tennessee. It is used sparingly, but it is a very serious charge when it is leveled against clergy: “That preacher just went from preachin’ to meddling.”
I don’t think that it would surprise many of us that the preacher is considered to be meddling if the topic of the sermon moves out of the realm of “spiritual matters” and into the realm of “financial matters.”
Yet that is exactly what Jesus does today – he goes from preachin’ to meddling.
“Do not be afraid, little flock” said Jesus, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” So far so good. No problems there.
But Jesus goes on,
“Sell everything you own, and give to the poor. Prepare an everlasting bank account, a never-failing treasure in heaven, where it cannot be stolen or lost. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
As you know, I was in Chicago last week. As with many large cities, Chicago has a mass-transit system centered on a light-rail train. As you drive through Chicago, where ever the train tracks run you will see “Danger: High Voltage” Signs, because the train is powered by a large amount of electricity running through the third rail. Like in any city with a third-rail system, touching the electrified line is deadly, and should always be avoided.
Often in our churches, financial concerns have been the third rail. They are necessary – even essential – but no preachers dare to touch that third rail for fear of the consequences.
Which is unfortunate, because I think we miss out on something when we don’t talk openly and honestly about money.
Certainly that’s exactly where Jesus went today – right out onto the third rail. In fact – and if you haven’t heard me say this before, you will certainly hear me say this again – Jesus talks more about money and material possessions than he does about anything else: more than prayer, more than heaven, more than his return.
So if we are afraid to talk about money, we have to ignore a large part of Jesus’ public ministry.
Unfortunately, because of the ways that many preachers talk about money, it probably is better that they don’t preach about it often.
In many churches, giving and financial stewardship is talked about in terms of budget and the needs of the congregation. It is not always explicit, but the bottom line always seems to be something to the effect of,
“You in the pews should give more, because the church needs more money to meet our expenses.”
Now, don’t get me wrong, church budgets are important. Like all pastors, part of my job is to be an administrator and be aware of the real financial cost of our ministries. And yes, the ministry of Christ’s Church can be expensive – there are salaries to pay, resources to purchase, buildings and grounds for our meeting space.
All of these things are a very real part of our shared ministry, and my ministry in this place.
And, let’s be honest, the family of Saint John is good about giving when there is a need to be met. If there is one thing I have learned about the stewardship life of our congregation, it is that we are very good about giving when we see a need.
Certainly in my own stewardship life, I know that I give in that way – I am more likely to give when I see a clearly identified need – and the inverse is also true – I am less likely to give when I don’t see such a need. I expect that many of you are the same in that regard.
Now, there is a lot that is interesting in today’s Gospel lesson – we could spend hours discussing it. But what really catches my attention is the phrase, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” More than anything else, that one phrase seems to cut to the heart of the matter.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our giving, our financial stewardship, is not an issue of church budgets.
It is not an issue of building campaigns, salaries, and bills.
The fact is, the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ could continue without one red cent from you or me – it wouldn’t look the same, but it could sure continue, because it depends not on us but on God. But that is not the point.
The point is that what we do with our money is a “spiritual issue.”
Our financial stewardship affects our relationship with God.
The question of what we do with our material possessions – how we spend, how we save, and how we give – is a question of our faith life.
In short:
We don’t practice good stewardship because it is good for the church or good for the budget.
We practice good financial stewardship because it is good for our souls.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Now, I don’t know about you, but that is not usually the way I have heard that issue framed. We should give to the church and to the poor not because it will help the church or the poor, but because it will help us.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It’s not always easy for us – money is the number one cause of worry and anxiety in American life.
Mortgage.
Car Insurance.
Electric, gas, and water bills.
College payments.
Car payments.
Rent.
Loan repayment.
Groceries.
Repairs.
April 15th, tax day.
And oh yeah, church.
We have financial obligations everywhere we turn – a seemingly infinite demand on our wallets, with only a limited supply of cash.
Of course we worry about money. Of course it agenda item number one in most of our homes.
Jesus knew that. He knew what the world was really like. Which is why the first thing he says, before talking about money is “Do not be afraid.”
How we are going to pay our bills is an important issue – it is the most important issue, if this life is all that there is. But of course, it is not. We have been given the most valuable thing in the world, the kingdom of God.
A rich doctor died, and it was time to carry out her will. The family gathered around, anxiously waiting for the lawyer. The lawyer walked into the room, and was immediately asked, “How much did she leave?”
To which the lawyer, a very thoughtful man, replied. “Everything.”
We know we can’t take it with us, but we sure try sometimes, don’t we?
How can our relationship with God be the most important thing in our lives while our minds are continually preoccupied with money?
How can we answer God’s call, if we are always worried about the cost?
I want you to take out your wallets.
Don’t worry – I’m not about to pass the plate.
But I want you to hold your wallet in your hands and look at it.
Take a good long look. At the cash. At the checks. At the credit cards.
What you do with that wallet is the most important spiritual issue in your life – where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
How are you using that wallet in your life right now?
Where is your heart?
And where do you want your heart to be?
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
