There is no frustration like folding a basket of laundry and coming to end with leftover socks. In our house, there is a basket of socks waiting for their partners to be found across loads of laundry. There is no exasperation like spending the afternoon putting together a 500-piece puzzle, only to find out 1 piece is missing from the box. There is no irritation like beginning a project only to realize you are missing pieces. Nothing helps you to realize just how vital every piece is until you are putting together a piece of furniture and realize that the critical screw, bolts or brackets are missing.
This morning, we are talking about the missing piece in our spiritual lives. We have been discussing how stewardship is not just one part of our lives, but all of our lives. Discipleship is not one day of our lives, but each and every day. This is the theme we find Jesus expounding upon. Again, we find Jesus in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was teaching a way of life. He intended to change the very way that the disciples and the crowds were living. He did not expect that they could merely nod along and continue doing what they were doing. His words, his teachings, his healings, his miracles, his life demanded change and discipleship from those who listened. So often, we hear the words of Scripture, the teachings of Jesus, assume we can know what to expect, nod along with a cute story, and continue on our way. Nothing changed – no growth – nothing different.
Throughout the scriptures, we are reminded that we are to choose whom we should serve and that where our treasures are our hearts will be as well. This service is never merely lip service, but rather lifelong commitment. Instead, we nod along and continue serving less by choice and more by inertia, the gods of security and convenience, the gods of scarcity and fear. Many of us do not even realize that we have come to value security and convenience above commitment and service. We do not realize that our actions have proclaimed scarcity and fear, instead of abundance and hope.
The Jewish law or Jesus’ teachings do not prohibit possessions, but rather the obsession with material wealth. It is our attachment to money and possessions that limit us, not their very presence. In fact, Jesus invites us to use the much we have been given to illumine God’s way here on earth. When you and I begin to believe that our discipleship is made up only of how we use our prayers and service, our witness and presence, we are indeed missing something. Our faith life is not complete. There are missing pieces.
When you go to a doctor, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?” If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!” I wonder how often it happens with preaching around stewardship, particularly, financial responsibility. We sometimes hear folks out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard (which does happen), or perhaps there’s something wrong. In that case, we’re in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.
I understand that talking about money is indeed uncomfortable and a profound faux pas. However, one does not speak about money for money’s sake. I speak about money, because Jesus did. In the whole of the Bible, there are 183 times in which there is teaching around money. Jesus talked about money more than anything, except the Kingdom of God (personally, I would prefer Kingdom of God conversations, any day!) Of the thirty-nine parables in the Gospels, eleven speak directly about the use of money. And in the Gospel of Luke, one out of every seven verses speaks of money.
The Message paraphrase of the Bible translates verse 21 this way: The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Are you living in the place where you want to be? Have all of the pieces fallen into place and you are content with your path in life? Statistically, very few of us are. Many of us, in the words of U2 – still haven’t found what I’m looking for. The verse that follows that chorus is profound:
I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colors will bleed into one – Bleed into one.
But yes, I’m still running.
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it.
But I still haven’t found What I’m looking for.
In eastern Taiwan, there is a woman by the name of Chen Shu-chu. She is 63, wears a thick support belt, and is hunched over thanks to back and leg problems. She bags peppers, taro and mushrooms for up to 18 hours a day, six days a week. However, no matter how much money she makes, she spends no more than a few dollars a day on herself so that she can give away the rest. Meet one of the world’s most unlikely and humble philanthropists.
Over the past two decades, Ms. Chen has donated over 10 million Taiwanese dollars ($350,000) to the building of a school library and a hospital wing. She has also donated to a local Buddhist organization and orphanages. The donations included money inherited from her father, royalties from a book written about her and cash prizes for her work. To some people, it might seem like madness to give away most of your wealth. But Ms. Chen insists it’s not that difficult. “Everyone can do it. It’s not just me. It’s not how much money you make that matters, but how you use your money,” she says.
These are the words of a wise woman in Taiwan and the words of Jesus Christ. In this stewardship season, I ask you to consider what might be a missing piece in your life. In our congregation, we have many generous persons who give amply of the gifts of their lives. However, we also have many people who give only out of the abundance of their finances.
I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterwards he was complaining about everything. He said, “The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. The people were unfriendly.” He went on and on, complaining about virtually everything. Finally, his very observant son said, “Dad, you’ve got to admit it wasn’t a bad show for just a dollar.” Did you know that the most common contributions on a Sunday morning are one and five dollar bills?
I ask you to prayerfully consider as you make your commitments for next year, is that what God is calling you to give or is that the extra in your pocket? The way you spend your time shows what you value. The way you spend your money shows what you value. As you cultivate your relationship with Christ, as you take another step of faith, where is the missing piece? Where do you still need to grow and need on the God who made you and loves you? In two weeks, we will be offering our commitments to God as the first fruits of our labor. We will ask you to bring in your puzzle pieces and your commitment card as we seek to make the full image of the body of Christ here in West Grove. We need you – your time, your talents, your gifts, so that we may fully reflect God’s dream for this place. It is through your faithful and committed giving that we offer God resources to move in this church and this community.
Where you treasure is, there your heart is. May your heart find rest in God.
This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen.