Money and the Weightier Matters

Contrary to what many people believe, money doesn't guarantee a better life and really can’t change the world.  Likewise, a church can have unlimited resources, all the bells and whistles, and still have empty pews.  God doesn’t change the world with money - He changes hearts. 

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36:26

In our New Member class this Sunday, my pastor shared his personal struggles with donating.  Two lessons he learned: 
 
1. Giving is about trusting God to provide.

...to “have a god” is to have something in which the heart entirely trusts.  Large Catechism, Part 1, The First Commandment

Because money meets our needs and brings security, donating money is difficult and risky.  Giving that money away means trusting God.
 
2. Consistent monetary giving is only the beginning of stewardship.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  Matthew 23:23

Donating money is the easiest way to give.  Writing a check is simple, and we know the exact cost of the gift.  Giving beyond money, giving of self, is risky.

When my kids were little, I was obsessed with saving money.  While grocery shopping, I would watch the items being rung-up, and note any pricing mistakes.  I often got free stuff, since stores routinely don’t charge for items that are wrongly priced.
 
And then it happened; God changed my heart.
 
When I quit watching prices, I started noticing people.  Now, I probably spend a little more money, and it might take me longer to shop, but I've gained, and I've given.

For example... 

One evening, Jen, a cashier and Roman Catholic, shared with me that, because of divorce, the church wouldn't give her communion.  Right there in the check-0ut line, with people waiting behind me, I told her that Jesus died for even that sin, divorce, as I made the sign of the cross over her.  

It just happened.  I didn't even know “that” was something I could give.  

Money can't buy forgiveness of sins, only Jesus can and did.  And somehow, with that forgiveness, He changes our hearts, helps us to trust Him, and frees us to give in ways that change lives.  And, it's all gift from Him.

Voting for President

I confess...I haven't watched any of the presidential debates, interviews, or commentaries.  But I know many Christians are worried about the upcoming presidential election,  so here’s my food for thought...



Question: 
What is your starting part in considering how to vote? 

Your answer might include: military and security issues, the economy, abortion, immigration, gun control, Constitution concerns, or a candidate's character and experience.


While these are all valid points, the Bible doesn't tell us how to vote.  But, God’s Word does speak about government:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Romans 13:1

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.        1 Timothy 2:1-2


In other words, leaders are in their position because of God. The government is instituted by God and is in place for our good and the good of society.  And a well-ordered, law-abiding society helps the spread of the gospel.
 
Regarding the law, Jesus said that, after loving God, the second great commandment is:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Matthew 22:39

Keeping in mind God's Word about government and His command to love, I'd like to propose a new starting point for voting.  What about voting for the candidate who will best help our neighbor and our neighbor's needs? 

Hmm...The first time I heard that, I was stumped.  All the issues went "out the window" and I was left thinking about neighbors. 



“Who’s my neighbor” brings a different answer for each Christian.  I think of the years I lived in California and saw people who were probably illegal immigrants, working illegally.  We used to joke that these people lived on the golf course near our apartment - they probably did.  On Saturdays, I’d see them at the convenience store, getting groceries and buying money orders to send home to their families.  They were my neighbors.



Now, thinking of voting for “the candidate who would best serve my neighbor” has changed my entire perspective.  Instead of focusing on the election, I think about living as a Christian, about serving my neighbor.  Having to weigh all the election issues isn't a burden anymore.  I can relax and let the unsolvable issues go. 

So this year I'll consider the candidates and vote.  But I'll also recognize God working in the process; I'll rest in His peace, His forgiveness, knowing that He's in control.  He gives me all I need, in Christ, and frees me to serve others.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.            Psalm 9:10

A Man of Prayer - Keith Barnett

About prayer, we Christians know that God commands us to pray.  

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances...1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And what does God do?  He promises to hear and answer our prayers.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  1 John 5:14

Praying is a big part of the Christian faith, and God is faithful; we just don’t know how He answers.  Often a chance occurrence brings an answer.  Or after a long struggle, we see an answer and understand.  And sometimes death happens, and we don’t understand, but still know He’s faithful.

Many people knew Keith as a musician.  I knew him as a man of prayer.  For over 3 years, I regularly attended prayer meetings at First Saint John’s in York, PA, and that’s where I met Keith.  Keith and I were kindred souls - Lutherans from Baptist backgrounds.  At one meeting, when only the two of us were present, we spent a good hour talking about our faith journeys and sharing how much we loved and appreciated Lutheran teachings. 

Praying aloud means sharing with other Christians your personal relationship with God.  It requires being intimate and vulnerable; you can't be fake before God...maybe that’s why so many people don’t like to pray out loud.  It’s not a comfortable thing for me either.  But, I value the times I prayed with Keith.

Keith often started his prayers with parts of the Lord’s Prayer.  He prayed simply, with passion and trust.  And he was always gracious.  On one occasion I remember him saying, “Kathy’s going to close the prayer?  I love it when Kathy prays.”  I was somewhat embarrassed, but also encouraged by his words.  

My tears are not for Keith, but for me.  We live in a sinful, broken world and life is hard.  When Christians share faith and prayers, those times are precious.  Keith, I loved it when you prayed.

...“For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen”

Lutheran Worship - Confession and Absolution

While reading the Bible this morning, I was reminded of one of my favorite parts of the Lutheran service, Confession and Absolution. 

Because I grew up in a Baptist Church, I thought the Baptist service was the correct way to worship.  But over the years, I’ve come to love and appreciate Lutheran worship.  And, I’m continually delighted at its depth and Biblical basis.
 
In the Lutheran service, we, as a church body, confess our sins together, admit our failures, and ask for God’s mercy. The Pastor, as a called servant, announces the forgiveness of sins, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Now about this corporate confession, the Baptist will say, “If I sin, I just tell God in my heart, in my prayers.  I don’t need that preacher to tell me I'm forgiven.”  And, as a former Baptist, I thought the same way and for years didn't realize what was happening in the Lutheran service. 

Then I read...   

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.  John 20:23

The Lutheran teaching is that the pastor, in his office, is “standing in the place” of Jesus and announcing forgiveness of sins. “If you forgive the sins of any...”

As always, it’s God’s Word that both crushes and comforts us.  And we need to hear it.

...And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14

God’s Word is effective; it does what it says.  If Jesus died for my sins, how do I receive that forgiveness, how do I know it?  The office of the pastor functions to announce that forgiveness...to me.  I hear it and know it.  I know I’m forgiven.  

We also see this forgiveness in the Old Testament, in all the sacrifices that are ultimately fulfilled in Christ.  The Israelites regularly saw the smoke rising from the sacrifice and smelled the pleasant aroma of a lamb burning...the death of another for their sins.

The Psalms speak often of God's forgiveness.

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.  Psalm 130:3-4

Back to the passage I was reading in Matthew this morning...

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Matthew 27:3-4

Wow...Judas goes to the chief priests and elders and confesses that he's sinned.  Instead of mercy, grace, and hope, they give him nothing, “What is that to us?” and send him away. 

Likewise, we are in need of forgiveness.  “See to it yourself” is not an answer for the guilty conscience.  We sin daily, both outward sins and sins of the heart.  It seems so simple, but it's lost on American Christianity...we need to confess our sins and hear God’s forgiveness, hear that we are forgiven.   And hearing that forgiveness is sweet and precious.

OCD and the Lutheran Confessions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness often associated with repetitive hand washing.  These days people will jokingly admit to having obsessive-compulsive tendencies.  OCD is anything but funny, and at the heart of this condition is doubt and uncertainty.

When Jake, my oldest son, was 17, he was diagnosed with a form of OCD called Scrupulosity or Religious OCD.  Although our sons were baptized and grew up in the Lutheran church, for several years we had been attending a conservative Presbyterian church.  This church taught Calvinism especially election, predestination, and the sovereignty of God. 

Many people find satisfaction in Calvinism’s ability to use logic and reason to explain the Bible.  Calvinism seems to have an answer for every verse about election and predestination, and that’s comforting. 

Surprisingly, OCD and Calvinism don’t mix, and Jake took his OCD brain and punched holes in every Calvinistic teaching.  His ability to do this was mind-boggling.  Jake recognized his inner struggles with sin, and his chief fear and doubt was that he didn’t love God, that he wasn’t really a Christian, that he wasn’t elect, and that he'd somehow committed the unpardonable sin. 
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Fast forward six or seven years...

We had returned to the Lutheran Church a few years prior; Jake was in grad school and had started reading the Book of Concord, the Lutheran Confessions. 

Jake called one day, “I'm mad at you and Daddy for not telling me.  The Lutheran Confessions explain things correctly.  Why didn’t you tell me about them?” 

Since then, I’ve read articles about other Calvinists who are also worried about and lack assurance of their salvation. 

Calvinism teaches election, but doesn't credibly explain how a person knows he is elect.  Calvinism can satisfy the mind, but does nothing for the Christian who has had his heart ripped by the Word of God.  The Christian, looking to Calvinism, can't reconcile election with his own experiences and is ultimately unsure of his standing before God.
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I have three thoughts on the differences between Calvinist and Lutheran teachings:
 
1.  The Calvinist focuses on the sovereignty of God.  The Lutheran focuses on sin and the cross.
 
2. The Calvinist explains faith, salvation, and election using human logic and reason.  The Lutheran is comfortable with paradox, understanding that God’s Word doesn’t always make sense, but that it’s true nonetheless.
 
3. The Calvinist's assurance of salvation often points to the person’s love of God, or depth of faith, or a personal trait that somehow testifies to election.  The Lutheran clings to Christ and the cross, knowing that salvation is a gift from God, and that God continues to give His grace through His Word and Sacraments.

My pastor once said, "God's Word is never without effect." In Jake's case, his worry and doubt was magnified by his OCD. Medically OCD can be treated, but can't be cured.  But God's Word, as taught and explained in the Book of Concord, has effect and continues to give Jake peace regarding his faith.   

...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11