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DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
BAD Money?
A.BACKGROUND
... How do you teach? You've done it as a parent, grandparent, coach, colleague, boss, neighbor, even professionally. There's some point you want to get across to someone who doesn't know it yet, or grasp it. How have you done it that worked? Or failed? By Luke 18 Jesus is a week from his final week: Holy Week. His life's work is about to come crashing down, ending his human endeavor to "save" the world. His final push to get his points across involve stories, parables, object lessons, pointed references, and allusions.
C. SUMMARY.
1) This chapter begins with Jesus telling two stories. One contrasts a "persistent widow", with a disinterested Judge whom she torments until she finally gets justice. The other contrasts a haughty, boastful religious leader with a humble contrite sinner as they offer their prayers to God. Both parables are about prayer, our communication with God, and how to approach God. The persistent widow echoes the confidence Jesus tells us to have in the Lord's Prayer when we're invited to declare our needs, not beg for them: give us daily bread, lead us, forgive us, deliver us. No "pretty please". God wants a blunt, direct, two-way communication. In verses 15-17 Jesus declares the priority of children in ministry, even telling us to embrace our "inner child" and be trusting in our relationship with God. The next section is today's scripture, followed by a blunt announcement that he is going to Jerusalem, will be killed, and raised from the dead. The disciples' reaction? Total, maybe willful, disbelief. 2) In today's verses a wealthy young man asks about "eternal life". When Jesus tells him to obey the basic laws of Judaism, he says he does. Well, then Jesus says, "sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and follow me." The fellow is saddened, leading Jesus to declare how hard it is for the rich to get to heaven, but not impossible. The disciples remind Jesus how they have given up everything to follow him, and Jesus assures them it will all prove worth it.
D. KEY POINTS
1.
"Filthy lucre" is an old insult for money. As if all money is bad. A friend told me, "the only problem with tainted money is there 'taint enough of it!" Money, of course, is neutral. It is an inanimate object. The Bible's concern is with how we get it ("thou shalt not steal") and what we do with it. The Bible is against bribes, usury, cheating, hoarding.
The Bible is in favor of fair wages, generous charity, grateful offerings, good stewardship, bold investment, wise business, and success. Two of the best bottom lines regarding money are: "to whom much is given, much will be required"; and "the Lord loves a cheerful giver". The former explains the responsibility that comes with wealth. The latter explains the spirit we should show in using our wealth.
2. The Wealthy. Me. I'm wealthier than most of the world's 6 billion people. Most reading this are right with me. We have a lot. So why is it harder for us to "get into heaven than for a camel to get through the eye of a needle?" Even literally poor St. Peter exclaimed, "we're all doomed!!" Ok. Slow down. First, Jesus says all things are possible with God, even me getting into heaven. Second, Jesus' camel through the eye of a needle" is a dramatic image of an over-packed camel trying to squeeze through a too narrow gate. As realists have warned, "you can't take it with you." The problem with stuff, wealth, money is our obsession with it. What is the most misquoted verse in the Bible? "Money is the root of all evil". NO, that's wrong. The real verse is "
the love of money
is the root of all evil". Wrong priorities yield wrong choices making it hard to squeeze through.
3. Why is it "hard" for the rich person? The more we have, the more we want to have. The more treasures we have, the more we treasure. And I'm speaking about me! I used to have nothing of value, and never worried about leaving the house, locking doors, hiding valuables. When I started collecting art and teacups and books I wanted more. The more good stuff I had the more worried, scared, paranoid I became. Jesus keeps telling us to worry, think, do about what's really important.
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