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Ortonville Citizen
October 2008
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Have any of you seen the musical “Cabaret”? There is a song that has been coming to mind lately “Money Makes the World Go Around.” It is a bouncy little tune with a segment saying, “Money, money, money” over and over again. Seems like that is what our world is saying a lot of lately. Money…can’t live without it and hard to live with it. As a nation, most of us have lived the good life for a while. And now it would appear that so much is crumbling. People are losing jobs, portfolios are shrinking, and more people have less than needed to live. What are we to do?
Recently I had the congregation to a self-survey of where they spent their money. It was a guestimate, but one that helps us to take stock. I asked them to fill in blanks of percentages they spent on food/shelter, transportation, giving, entertainment, savings, and other. There is noting more telling of our priorities than our checkbook and calendar. People attempted to comply with my request and then I proceeded to talk about money and its power over us. The scripture focus was Luke 18:18-30, otherwise known as the “The Rich Young Ruler.” Here was a man who had done it right in his faith. He kept the laws since he was a child. He was so proud of himself. Mark’s gospel says Jesus loved him. What a blessing to encounter someone who had worked so hard to follow his faith. And then Jesus asks the hard thing. Go sell, give, and follow me. The man’s head hung and he walked away because he was very, very rich. Jesus exposed where the man’s true heartbeat was. He could be faithful in following God as long as he had all his stuff. His wealth had risen to too big of a priority in his life.
We may be responding, “Well if I had that much wealth, I would not be so consumed, I’d be generous!” Really? My mom always told us kids, “The more you have, the more you want.” As I have raised two kids and now spend time with grandchildren, I would have to agree. Enough rarely seems to be enough. God wants all of us - our love, our loyalty, and the willingness to follow Christ no matter how much we have. And our pursuit of money and stuff will detract us from Christ - whether it is a lot or little.
I have lived through two recessions. I have almost lost a house two different times. I have not had enough to pay bills, I have used food stamps, I have wept and I have felt hopeless. I have also been blessed by God to provide when I knew it was impossible. Over time, I have learned to be faithful in giving and I try to be like God is to me and dare to be generous. Trusting God for our finances is hard and I mean HARD! But I have never seen God fail – even when it was not in my time frame. Luke 12:34 states, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” The question is, where is your treasure? We must continue to ask ourselves this hard question, even now when we are fearful of the future. Tough times are times when our faith is tested – especially in the area of finances. Will we continue to give as God has asked? Will we instead become hoarders and put compassion aside? We will live with constant worry? Or will we be like the poor widow who gave her last penny and trusted God to provide her needs?
How can we, in the midst of all that is going on, walk in faith and live with God’s priorities and view of money? The answer goes deeper to where is our true treasure and to whom do we truly belong. As you face today and tomorrow will worry and fear make things better? It has never helped me. I do not know what my future holds but I do know who holds my future. Whether our future has plenty or want, God is still in control. Let us reflect the character of Jesus Christ and give to those who need it and trust God for what we need. God bless us as we struggle together, keeping our eyes on God for our everything. If you need prayer – call our office at Seymour Lake UMC – and we will hold each other up.
Love in Christ, Pastor Debbie Line
