Kingdom Building

Kingdom Building

August 10, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:32-40

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. –Luke 12:32-34

I am a one purse person carrying the same purse until it falls apart before I purchase another one and then I do not want to throw the worn out one away. Not throwing something away is peculiar behavior for me. Books are another thing with which a do not want to part as well as items my mother made but in general when something has served its purpose, I toss it.

Purses carry things we value. A few weeks ago, I ran to Walmart, grabbed whatever I needed, rushed back to my car, transferred my purchases, returned the cart to a stall, and headed home. When I reached for my purse as I got out of my car it was nowhere to be found. I panicked. As I drove back to Walmart, I realized I did not have my drivers license or my bankcard or any of my credit cards or any ID at all. I also felt the trip back was a hopeless one, but some wonderful person had discovered my purse in the parked grocery cart and returned it to customer services who were very happy to return it to me with nothing missing.

In our scripture today Jesus is telling us to take care of the important things specifically mentioning giving alms to the poor. My mother respected the idea of the tithe, but she taught her children that all our resources were dedicated to God and we need to use them with that in mine. We do need to handle our money wisely in taking care of ourselves and our families but also in assuring that all have enough including through are alms but also in the justice work we do as we strive to create a world where everyone has enough.

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom in the use of our resources in your service. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.