Sunday October 14th, 2018 21st Sunday after Pentecost Mark 10:17-31
"But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." (verse 31)
We are the rich ones in the world today. I cannot read this passage without feeling guilty. Even when I was in seminary, later in life, and had little to live on, I was wealthier than most of the world. So what are we who live in this part of the world to do? Perhaps for us it’s about stewardship. Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, we are entrusted to spend it in accordance with God’s will.
Do we spend our time, our talents and our treasures in ways that are pleasing to God? Do we share abundantly? Do we take a stand on behalf of the poor or oppressed, even if it means those around us may think differently about us? Do we make decisions to buy fairly traded products or items that will reduce waste, even if it costs us more?
God’s economy is not in line with the world’s. There are so many passages in scripture that raise up the poor and oppressed and urge the rich to take care of those around them.
O God, we give you thanks for all that we have. Help us to share our abundance of time, talent and treasure with the world. Amen. — HRW
Contributed by Stewardship
We are the rich ones in the world today. I cannot read this passage without feeling guilty. Even when I was in seminary, later in life, and had little to live on, I was wealthier than most of the world. So what are we who live in this part of the world to do? Perhaps for us it's about stewardship. Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, we are entrusted to spend it in accordance with God's will.
Do we spend our time, our talents and our treasures in ways that are pleasing to God? Do we share abundantly? Do we take a stand on behalf of the poor or oppressed, even if it means those around us may think differently about us? Do we make decisions to buy fairly traded products or items that will reduce waste, even if it costs us more?
God's economy is not in line with the world's. There are so many passages in scripture that raise up the poor and oppressed and urge the rich to take care of those around them.
