"Sir, what are your orders?"

With an opening note of gratitude and appreciation to all of our veterans, we thank you for your service!

     After looking at the texts for today, and considering some of the themes, I considered it a bit comical that these verses are not favorites transferred onto signs and media posts. Read on and see what I mean.

1 Timothy 6:11-21 (New English Translation)
But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate, to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ —whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called “knowledge.” By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Reflection

     The second paragraph is ripe for the picking, isn't it?! Even if you use a softer word than command, it is still not likely to be well received. It is a well known fact that the rich prefer to stay rich and will use all their power to keep getting richer. It is also true that the wealthy and powerful don't like to be told what to do anymore than the rest of us. Generosity is nearly impossible if you are growing more and more proud and fond of what you have and all that you have accomplished. We also need to remember that we are rich. We possess much more than most of the world. This isn't just about "them."

     Of course, "command" also brings a great deal of good and bad with it. Good for those who chose to serve and fill a position or rank for the keeping of order. Bad with those who abuse their power and issue orders that only hurt and hinder, as well as those who have no right to wield inhumane control over another that they have enslaved. The good followers (soldiers, servants, citizens, etc.) illustrate the meaning of hard-working trust and respect. Sometimes, even well meaning leaders can issue a command that doesn't make sense. Do you know of a veteran that has shared a funny story about obeying orders even when they knew it would end comically? 

     Our veterans could teach us a great deal about obeying and following. Many of Jesus' teachings are met with a mild smile and the thought that it is inspirational, but little in the actual practice. We could do a better job following the order to be generous in giving.

Prayer

We praise you, O God, for watching over us all. Guide us to follow you more closely and to learn more practically what it means to share and give. Enlighten us in our service to your Way of love. Amen. 

Impressive

Focus Verse
Matthew 20:16 (NRSV)
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

     Maybe it was the Revelation text for this coming All Saints Sunday that connected me to this verse, but I also remembered a time many years ago that I preached a message on this. I am not sure that it was my absolute best in terms of reception, but as a preacher and writer it was memorable for me. It still feels like a bit of a technical masterpiece. I preached it backwards! Of course, the words and sentences were in their understandable order, but the thoughts and paragraphs were essentially in reverse. I wrote it out in regular order and then rewrote it in reverse. Then I added in a few markers and clues for the hearers to get the point and also be able to piece the message back together in their mind. I had a few repeated phrases to be sure that if they got a little lost, the point was still clear--God operates under God's own rules and the Gospel means a reversal of many things that the world holds dear. Of course, the main point of the entire parable that precedes this verse is that God choses to be generous and give abundantly. Sometimes, what God gives will seem "unfair." 

Here is the whole parable:

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.  Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.  And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

     After I stopped patting myself on the back and remembering all the remarks about it being a good and inspirational sermon, somewhere around Tuesday I realized that I had missed the point. I liked to hear that it was impressive, of course, but the Spirit asked me if my attitude was a part of the Gospel reversal. Pride had ensnared me. It is so easy to get caught up in our accomplishments, no matter how well meaning or positive in sense. This parable is not about hard work, but about the intersection of mercy and generosity in God's activity. To truly understand and proclaim Jesus, we need to let go of our urge to do better and measure ethical behavior only through God's lens of mercy. This in turn yields justice and peace.

Museum of Tomorrow Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Architect: Santiago Calatrava

     I saw a press release that Lego is releasing one of its largest sets of all time--the Titanic. It is $630 (and it is already temporarily out of stock at that price!) and consists of 9090 pieces. Yes, it would be a brag worthy, but not generous or merciful. Impressive buildings are fun to look at, but don't usher in the reign of the Way of Christ.

Dear Lord,

Help us to turn away from greed and wealth. Teach us your way of abundant and sharing love. Mold our hearts into multiple exchanges of mercy. You, O God, are steadfast and ever-living, showing love beyond our merit and our generations. We thank and praise you for choosing as you see fit. We all are dependent upon your grace. In the Name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.