These days I seem less tolerant of the cold—not only in a physical sense but also when it comes to the spiritual. I may be turning into a cantankerous, crotchety, old curmudgeon or maybe with age comes a certain freedom to speak up on matters that were once kept quiet when I had something to lose if I were too outspoken. Then again: There had been those in my past who thought I was born old.
Preachers are still political beings and they know—as the saying goes—which side their bread is buttered on. I have known pastors who felt restricted in the pulpit lest the board or the largest givers or the congregation take umbrage and either the money dries up or he be dismissed. I still think a gentile spirit is called for—though, the message sometimes has to be brutally honest and to the Bible’s point.
When I needed a little day surgery, once, on my foot, the surgeon probed the area of the greatest pain and that was where he put the needle. Today, spiritually speaking, surgery has been replaced with a more palliative approach. In the name of accepting the sinner, we condone the sin, as if God were incapable of knowing the difference—or worse, spiritual healing, maturity, sanctification were only theological explanations to attract proselytes. We even have a church language—a Christianese—that maintains a certain intellectual distance or decorum, from some of the sharper language in Scripture [1 Samuel 25:22 KJV; Jeremiah 13:26; Malachi 2:3].
Meanwhile some of the deepest concerns of our Lord, plainly taught in Scripture, seem of little to no interest [Luke 10:2]. It seems that we believe that if we get the ritual right and the music sounds good [not off key] and we keep the sermon short and sweet, all is well with God. Each church seems to sanction a certain pulpit style (louder and more lively in some] that, along with the proper theology, is accepted by the congregation as “worship.”
I am not writing to deny this as genuine, nor do I think it inappropriate. But every now and then the sermon needs to be “outside the box.” What about the current hope for a more prosperous America that “our” President is advocating?
The American Dream, which we were losing site of in recent years is probably now on most minds. Since the market is global, it appears to revive hope in the rest of the world, as well. Believers might, consequently, lose site of Jesus’ warning that “You cannot serve God and money” [Matthew 6:24]. We might contend with Solomon, “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth ….” [Proverbs 10:22]. But if we do, we miss read him! Solomon added this proviso, “without painful toil for it.” And the last time I looked if I wanted the dream the American way, I had to “work for it.” “Painful toil” was the result of the “Fall” [Genesis 3:16-17]. God’s blessings are expressions of His grace, unearned or not worked for. Every blessing from God enriches our lives—both materially and spiritually. That’s all Solomon meant.
A.I. says the word “mammon” means “that in which one trusts.” It is not found in our Old Testament although the Old Testament wisdom alerts us to the danger of becoming too enamored with it. Solomon said, elsewhere, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall .…” [Proverbs 11:28]. In Jesus’ words: “The deceitfulness of wealth chokes the Word, making it unfruitful.” [Matthew 13:22]. In our lingo: “It is alright to have money, but beware if money has you!”
Job wrote:
“If I have made gold my hope, or have said … Thou art my confidence; … because my wealth was great … And my heart hath been secretly enticed … This … [is] iniquity….” – Job 31:24–28
David admonished,
“if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” – Psalm 62:10
Jesus agreed with the Psalmist,
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
And Paul chimed in :
“For the love of money is the root of all evils.” — 1 Timothy 6:10
“Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 CSB
It is important to remain prayerfully aware of our own hearts whether God is enriching us or we are justifying an inordinate interest in gain. Are we poor of spirit [Matthew 5:3]? If God asked these things of us, could we cheerfully give them up! “… as the steward of God … not greedy for money….” [Titus 1:7 NKJV].
