All In Good Time

Scripture lessons to be read on the upcoming weekend are a prophetic story about trusting in God even when tomorrow looks pretty uncertain; an exhortation to prioritize each one’s wealth; and a parable about the man who was careless about what he had and how he got his just desserts. Even though there seems to be no Golden Thread here, it feels as if they’re all tied together with the passage of time: our Eternity is developed by our ethical and compassionate actions now.

JEREMIAH 32:1-15 brings us to the prophet’s middle years. He’s already raised enough questions to have been put under house arrest. Still, he buys a field even though the enemy is at the gates. “What?? Don’t you understand the seriousness of the situation?” “For thus says the Lord…Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” YHWH evidently hasn’t given up on us completely. Note that Baruch (not a major player) has been given the responsibility of caring for the transaction through all of the ups ‘n’ downs. Just as Jeremiah has redeemed the field, so YHWH is redeeming Israel.

I TIMOTHY 6:6-19 is a pastoral exhortation about the earthly behavior of the Explorer of the Christian Faith. The disciple is discouraged to not become rich in an earthly sense; instead she is urged to adopt a lifestyle of “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”. So what about those who already ARE rich? “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share.” The life which really IS life will lead us to contentment beyond our accumulated lucre.

There needs to be some synopsis before reading LUKE 16:19-31–Jesus includes this teaching as only one of many: lost sheep, lost coins, lost sons, lost virtue. And now we can read about Lazarus the beggar, who was ignored by the Rich Man (some have named him Dives) and eventually died. From Hades (Jesus didn’t say that, it’s a Greek concept) the wealthy guy sees Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham–but it’s too late. The Rich Man wasn’t necessarily evil, but careless about sharing with the needy at his gate. Jesus’ pointed message to the Pharisees was this: look around, see who’s needy, and share your stuff before it’s too late for YOU!

These all are intended to remind us to step away from our comfort-zones. Frankly, I’m embarrassed by my position of privilege: I watch the newscasts of victims of weather anomalies, or walk on by the guy panhandling on the post office steps. I mean, I CAN’t donate to every Native American mission west of the Mississippi, can I? Or is Lazarus closer?

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday I write some comments about my journey in the light of scriptural lessons to be read on the upcoming weekend. Come & share at horacebrownking.com