The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13C), Aug. 1, 2004
Eccles. 1:12-14, 2:(1-7,11)18-23; Psalm 49 or 49:1-11; Col. 3:(5-11)12-17; Luke 12:13-21
Researchers can come up with a number for the wealth of the Church in the U.S. They do this quite simply by a careful estimate of the average household wealth multiplied by the number of households who count themselves as Christian. It’s a staggering figure —$3.75 trillion.
We can do the same thing with the same formula for the wealth of our congregations — the number of households multiplied by the average wealth for our zip codes. Are you prepared to be staggered?
And yet, we want more. Our vestries, our finance committees, our leadership at any level, always see the need for more. Then we could really be about the work of being the body of Christ.
The question Christ wants us to ask is, what builds the body of Christ? Is it bricks and mortar? We can’t give that an unqualified no since congregations do have churches where we love to worship. But Paul gives a different answer which demands our attention.
If Christ’s people are to show Christ’s nature, more than architecture is required. Something must show, other than stained glass, glorious chasubles, and new education wings. Using Paul’s metaphors, what should show are the things that emanate from Christ making his home within us.
His verbs call us to build from within — “Clothe yourselves.” “Let peace rule.” “Let the word of Christ dwell richly.” His nouns tell what we make visible — forgiveness, love, patience, perfect harmony, gratitude, spiritual songs.
Paul would have no problem with structural beauty, art forms, and great music. He also would not condemn wealth, great wealth belonging to the Church. His stewardship principles would not resemble guilt or shame. He would not harangue members to get them to cough up more. He might even design a stewardship program that called for more of his verbs and nouns before asking for pledges. He knows the source of monetary wealth and the true wealth the Church needs.
The preacher writes of wealth, hard work to get more wealth, and the despair of it all when that is all there is to show (Eccles. 2:22). Does this not sound like many within our congregations? And many in the neighborhoods of our churches?
If only we had more — of what Paul lists.
Look It Up
How would we know if we are only preparing larger barns and not increasing our spiritual wealth?
Think About It
Scrutinize examples of forgiveness and perfect harmony within the New Testament. Note the impact when these are present.
Next Sunday
The 10th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14C), Aug. 8, 2004
Gen. 15:1-6; Psalm 33 or 33:12-15, 18-22; Heb. 11:1-3(4-7) 8-16; Luke 12:32-40
