Sermonette: Sept. 30, 2019

by Rev. Doug Nemitz

First Lutheran Church

New Rockford 

 When I think about our New Testament reading for Sunday, Sept. 29 (1 Timothy 6:6-19), and the ever widening gap between the wealthiest Americans and the poorest, it seems to me that the Christian faith always lives in uneasy tension with wealth. On the one hand, we who follow Jesus recognize that wealth could be seen as a genuine gift from God to be used to bless others. On the other hand, as Jesus recognized in preaching so much about the dangers of wealth, it can be a devious temptation in one’s life.

 Paul was concerned about the envy, the jealousy, the covetousness that one who lacks wealth can have of those who possess it and the real dangers for those who were wealthy. He reminded those who may lack wealth, “Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (verses 6, 7, 8).

 Paul did not condemn the wealthy, but instead warned against the power of wealth to distort the lives of those who had it and those who coveted it. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains” (verse 10).

 Paul’s message to those who were wealthy was twofold. He was genuinely concerned for those who were wealthy that they could “fall into temptation and [be] trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (verse 9). And for Paul it was also a matter of stewardship. “As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches” (verse 17).

 Riches can give one a false sense of security that can quickly disappear. Riches are entrusted to people for proper use. “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life” (verses 18, 19).

 Paul brings to Timothy and to us a powerful message that it is in our generosity we create the foundation for the future that opens us to “life that really is life.” And, of course, I wonder if the poorest among us could begin to experience the “life that really is life” as the wealthy share their riches and, also, find the “life that really is life”?

 Some are rich in skills, others in personality or wisdom, and still others in material wealth. God has provided that to us for a reason. We discover that truth as we use our wealth in a generous manner. It is in this manner that we discover godliness and contentment that leads to true joy. I pray that all of us would experience this joy. Glory be to God!