Stuff
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Jesus' words about "stuff" hit us right where we live. If there is any idolatry that is rampant in American society, it is this idolatry of "stuff."
If it is any consolation, the problem is not new. The people who heard Jesus on that Judean hillside had the same problem. Jesus said not to worry about "stuff" -- God knows what you need and will provide for you just as the birds of the air are fed and the lilies of the field are dressed. And if God will take care of the birds and flowers so well, think how well you will be taken care of.
Jesus went on, "What it boils down to is this: If you are going to be concerned about anything, it should be to see that the things that are important to God are equally important to you. Then you can be absolutely confident that everything else that you need will be taken care of." Or as the King James Version has it, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
I knew a man whose whole life was firmly grounded upon that promise. He was a minister. He never had much money, but he was absolutely faithful in his tithe, and in fact, generally gave a good deal more as God prospered him because he understood the tithe was a floor, not a ceiling. There were not many luxuries in his home, but there was never any lack of necessities. None of his six children missed out on going to college because there was not enough money. He never worried. His attitude was, "God has always provided enough so far; I know he always will."
After his death, the congregation he had served so long wanted to do something in his memory. They commissioned a bronze plaque to be cast and placed on the wall of the sanctuary where he had preached for so many years. At the bottom of that plaque was the verse that had meant so much to him throughout his life and ministry: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." I had the privilege of preaching at the dedication service for that plaque. God had been faithful to that man. I know. He is the man to whom this book is dedicated. He was my father.
What is truly important? Not "stuff." "Stuff" can be gone in a flash ... or a flash flood. Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," or in a more modern rendering, "Make God's priorities your priorities," then everything else will fall into place. That is what is truly important.
If it is any consolation, the problem is not new. The people who heard Jesus on that Judean hillside had the same problem. Jesus said not to worry about "stuff" -- God knows what you need and will provide for you just as the birds of the air are fed and the lilies of the field are dressed. And if God will take care of the birds and flowers so well, think how well you will be taken care of.
Jesus went on, "What it boils down to is this: If you are going to be concerned about anything, it should be to see that the things that are important to God are equally important to you. Then you can be absolutely confident that everything else that you need will be taken care of." Or as the King James Version has it, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
I knew a man whose whole life was firmly grounded upon that promise. He was a minister. He never had much money, but he was absolutely faithful in his tithe, and in fact, generally gave a good deal more as God prospered him because he understood the tithe was a floor, not a ceiling. There were not many luxuries in his home, but there was never any lack of necessities. None of his six children missed out on going to college because there was not enough money. He never worried. His attitude was, "God has always provided enough so far; I know he always will."
After his death, the congregation he had served so long wanted to do something in his memory. They commissioned a bronze plaque to be cast and placed on the wall of the sanctuary where he had preached for so many years. At the bottom of that plaque was the verse that had meant so much to him throughout his life and ministry: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." I had the privilege of preaching at the dedication service for that plaque. God had been faithful to that man. I know. He is the man to whom this book is dedicated. He was my father.
What is truly important? Not "stuff." "Stuff" can be gone in a flash ... or a flash flood. Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," or in a more modern rendering, "Make God's priorities your priorities," then everything else will fall into place. That is what is truly important.
