This won’t be my most popular blog: we’re too rich! Worse, we want even more! The Greeks had a word for it: PLEONEXIA. (The desire for more, especially if it’s YOURS.) Sounds like a medicine advertized on late TV, the ones with terrible disclaimers of sudden blindness, diarroeha or death. Pleonexia could lead to all these things, and will, if given the chance. So if you’re into the American Dream, don’t go to church this weekend… These scriptures probably won’t comfort the afflicted, but they sure will afflict the comfortable!
There’s lots of imagery in Hosea 11:1-11–unresponsive children, raging swords, exiles to Assyria & Egypt, a roaring lion and trembling birds–all held in the hands of a loving Parent who can’t bear the thought of abandoning Israel. Even though “My people are bent on turning away from me”. The prophet is cajoling the NATION, not just the individuals therein. Smart nations could hear this as a warning and turn from their devotion to the Baal of Materialism. Even though YHWH is depicted as an old softy, history tells us that Israel was overrun and “lost” in 721 BC.
The Letter to the Colossian Church includes this weekend’s reading, 3:1-11. And there v. 5 jumps out at me: “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry)”. Most translations agree that these ALL are idolatry, i.e., they deflect worship from Christ to the gods of Today. These things are un-Godly because they yearn for things which belong to others: money, prestige, spouses, fancy cars & yachts–surface distractions and empty, ultimately boring, accumulations.
Jesus cautioned against materialism in Luke 12:13-21: “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told a parable about the farmer who exulted over his abundance: “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Yet we persist in hoarding stuff, small potatoes when seen against the resources of holiness.
O my country! When will you wake up? Or is it impossible for the Nations of This World to approximate the Kingdom of God?
God Bless Us, Every One. Horace Brown King
My wrestles with scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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