Sidney UMC - World Communion Sunday/Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - 10/02/22 - Sermon - “Guard The Good Treasure!” (“2 Timothy Series”: Part 1 of 4)

Sunday 10/02/22 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:    “Guard The Good Treasure!”                                                       (“2 Timothy Series”: Part 1 of 4)                                

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 137                                       

New Testament Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Gospel Lesson: Luke 17:5-10

          Many of us can think of those times in our lives, when our parents, our grandparents, a family member, a teacher, a friend, or a total stranger gave us a good word of wisdom. Some of us might say, “My late Grandma used to say this all the time, and boy was she right!” As I am talking, I would encourage you all to think about the stories, the words of wisdom, and or the things that the various people in your lives have taught you.

          For example, my late Grandpa Winkelman taught me in regards to working too much, this, “Paul you can have a lot of money and no time, or a lot of time and no money”. My late Grandpa Winkelman would also always joke with me when I did something right, “Well Paul, a broken clock is right twice a day!” It is fair to say that we all have been given individual and collective wisdom and beliefs. We have all been given and taught things that were not just for us, but things that have been given and taught for centuries.

          I remember my father telling me that when I give my word to someone, I need to follow through on it. I remember my grandpa telling me that when you shake a person’s hand, look them in the eyes, and be honest. These are not just things I was given and were taught; I think that these are things that many of us were taught and were given. Are there then some universal values in our culture that we have shared for many years? I think so. We were not all necessarily taught these values or beliefs, but respect for your elders was one that I was taught. I was taught that my Grandpa Winkelman worked hard his whole life, lived through the Great Depression, wars, the farm, raising kids, etc. Therefore, he should be respected, and he was seen as a source of knowledge and wisdom. I was taught to respect my mother and all women. I was taught the value of hard work, loving others, being generous, and of course being a Cubs fan.

          I worry that sometimes in the United States, and in Western Culture in general though, that these great values and beliefs that we have shared for centuries are fading. Or worse in some cases are not even being taught at all. It would seem to some that truth is subjective, not objective. By this I mean, we are living in era where some would say, “Pastor Paul there is no such thing as absolute truth”. To which I like to ask in reply, “Are you absolutely sure about that?” What do we teach, what do we belief? Further, is there room for change? Of course, there is room for change! I hope we can all agree that slavery in this country was a bad idea, and that it was a bad idea, until recent years that women were not allowed to get the same job as man when they worked hard for it. Some changes are indeed good and needed.

          While society makes some changes, and while the world changes, are there any absolute truths? Is there objective truth, or it all subjective, or whatever you say truth is? Further, what happens to a society, to a culture, to a church that has virtually no objective truths?

          As the Christian Church, or in this case the Sidney United Methodist Church, we have existed as a congregation going on almost 200-years. Are there things that we have collectively believed within this congregation, whether it was the original house church, the old torn down church that was on main street, or in this present building that we have served and worship in since the early 1930’s? If there are not some objective, universal truths that we share as Christians, or as a nearly 200-year-old Sidney United Methodist Church, then why are we hear?

          Are we here only for the community, the ministries, and or the coffee hour? All of these are not bad things to want to come to the church for, but for nearly 2,000 years the vast majority of Christians the world over has gathered to come closer to Jesus Christ. I mean after all; he is the very center of the stained-glass window overlooking the altar of our church. Given this, who Jesus is, and his significance in our lives, this church, in Christianity, and our culture is massive. It is true to say that some people in our country and in Western Culture have differing views of who Jesus is, but the majority of Christians the world over, for almost 2,000 years, have said that Jesus is the risen Lord and Savior. Jesus died for us, rose again, and is coming back in glory. The church, the Sidney United Methodist Church, and most churches do not stand upon a hill of sand, instead we stand upon the solid and unchanging rock of Jesus Christ. This is the spirit of this World Communion Sunday. We gather to worship and to celebrate Holy Communion, as we invite our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ deeper into our lives. Christians of many stripes gather to worship this day, all over the world, as celebrate Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper together.

          This morning the Apostle Paul is attempting to convey truths and beliefs to his young friend and protégé Timothy. In fact, for the next four weeks I will be preaching a sermon series on our 2 Timothy Sunday lectionary scripture readings. Today my sermon is called “Guard The Good Treasure,” next week my sermon is called “The Word Of Truth!”, then “Proclaiming The Message!”, and finally in the fourth and last week of this sermon series, “Fought The Good Fight!”

          You see, the Apostle Paul was a teacher, a pastor, a friend, and a mentor. This morning he wants to be sure that his young friend Timothy really understands who Jesus is, and what the gospel is. Paul is very specific in all of his letters of books in the New Testament about what to teach, what truth is, and why it matters.

          In looking at our reading from 2 Timothy 1:1-14 for this morning, once again, let us look at this scripture again. Once again, I am going to preaching on our 2 Timothy readings, this morning, and for the next three weeks. In looking at 2 Timothy 1:1-14 it says starting with 1:1, once again:

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord                   (2 Tim. 1:1-2, NRSV).

 

          The Apostle Paul is well known in his letters or books in the New Testament for his introductions and his benedictions. In this case, he is announcing who he is, his calling, and greeting his young friend Timothy. The Apostle Paul then offers Timothy grace and peace.

          The Apostle Paul then continues on saying in 1:3:

 

3 I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline         (2 Tim. 1:3-7, NRSV).

 

          The Apostle Paul tells timothy that he is grateful to God, that he worships God with a clear conscience, and that he remembers Timothy constantly in his prayers. Paul encourages Timothy and appreciates his sincere faith in Christ, which was also in his grandmother Lois, and mother Eunice. The Apostle Paul then encourages Timothy to rekindle the gift of faith with the lay of hands, and to not have a spirit of cowardice. Instead, have a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We can see a clear transmission of wisdom, belief, and teaching from Paul to Timothy in this scripture.

          The Apostle Paul then continues on telling Timothy and us, picking up in 1:8:

8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, (2 Tim. 2:8-11, NRSV).

 

The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to not be ashamed of Jesus or of him. Paul encourages Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel, while trusting God. The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that the grace of God has been given to us through our Savior Christ Jesus:

 

who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:10b, NRSV).

 

The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that God called him to be a herald, or an announcer, and an apostle and a teacher for Jesus Christ.

     Lastly, and where I get our sermon title for this morning, the Apostle Paul finishes our scripture reading to his young friend Timothy, saying in 1:12-14:

12 and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us (2 Tim. 1:12-14, NRSV).

 

     The Apostle Paul says that he suffers for Christ, for the gospel, but that he trusts Jesus. The Apostle Paul then tells Timothy to hold to the standard of sound teaching, and to “Guard The Good Treasure” entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

For centuries, whatever social and political changes have occurred in the world and in Western society, the basic teachings of the gospel are largely still universally taught. Meaning that when the Apostle Paul tells Timothy “Guard The Good Treasure,” he is telling him to have faith in Christ, to teach Christ, to love Christ, to live Christ, and to preach Christ. For the Christian Church is built not upon sand, and not upon anything else but a firm foundation, the cross and the blood or our Lord Jesus Christ.

From this central understanding of the Christian faith, we all manner of expressions of Christianity that have taken on many different forms and many different understandings. I firmly believe though, that any Jesus Movement, and any church that seeks to be strong and growing both now and in the future needs to be grounded in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are not grounded in Christ, then who are we grounded in? I know Democrats, Republican, Independents, etc. that are living lives firmly grounded in Jesus Christ our Lord.

As your appointed pastor, and as an Elder in the church, I am called to order the life of this church, preach and teach God’s word, administer and celebrate the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, care for the sick, visit those who need care, etc. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, and growing faith in him though, is the primary call that God has placed upon my life. If you are growing closer to Jesus, then I am fulfilling what God has called me to do. I and you are called to “Guard The Good Treasure” that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the church.

          We see the reality of this in our gospel of Luke lesson for this morning from 17:5-10. In this passage from Luke 17 we hear about faith and duty, as well as a couple of examples from Jesus, about the application of this faith and duty. In looking at Luke 17:5-10, it says starting in 17:5, once again:

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ⁶ The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. ⁷ “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? ⁸ Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? ⁹ Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ ”             (Lk. 17:5-10, NRSV).

          Interesting gospel reading, for sure. Jesus tells the disciples to grow in faith, and not to have him just give faith to them. Of course, faith comes from God, but we have to be active participants in this process. Faith the size of a mustard seed can be powerful, and going beyond the bare minimum with our faith is also how we grow in faith.

          This Christian faith that we share in Christ Jesus, is one that we have shared for centuries. It sometimes has manifested in harmful and hurtful ways. At its best it has always been focused on the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are commanded to as followers of Christ, follow and seek Christ, and always “Guard The Good Treasure” that is in Christ Jesus. Praise Jesus now and always. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/25/22 - Sermon - “The Real Sin of the Rich Man!”

                                   Sunday 09/25/22 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “The Real Sin of The Rich Man!”                                           

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16                                      

New Testament Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19 

Gospel Lesson: Luke 16:19-31

          Since I moved to Sidney in 2018, I have met many people that are hard workers. Some of these folks have or did work for Bendix/Amphenol, or Acco, or Unilam, etc. In getting to know some of these folks, some of them started out in apartments, or lived at home for awhile while they worked. They saved up, eventually moved out, or maybe even bought a house. Some of them are retired now, and have a comfortable life.

          Many of these people that I have met and have gotten to know here in Sidney are generous, loving, and caring people. I have met people here in Sidney that would truly give you the shirt off your back, or show up in the middle of the night to help. As I said, many of these people are hardworking people. There hard work and their efforts got them ahead. Some got raises, promotions, better jobs, etc. Yet all the while they were still generous, and still did all they could to help people. It seems to some in our society today however, that if anyone gets ahead, they must have been dishonest and or did something wrong.

          The question to consider this morning then, is it a sin to work hard and get ahead? Is it a sin to toil, to advance, and accomplish, if at the same time you are kind, generous, and giving? My parents worked very hard their whole lives, and as they worked, they got raises, were promoted, got better jobs, etc. I do not think that any of this is a sin. It would be a sin though if my parents and the good folks I have gotten to know here in Sidney were only concerned about themselves, and never did anything to help anyone. You see, there is difference between working hard and getting ahead, and being selfish, greedy, and unloving.

          Some people in fact, worked hard and advanced so much that they may have even retired fairly financially wealthy. Is that a sin? I do not think so, as everything that we have is God’s. All we have is God’s, and we are simply caretakers of those things on behalf of God. What we do with what God gives us, and how we live though, matters. In fact, some of the most giving and generous people that I have ever met have succeeded and done well. Working hard and getting ahead is a good thing, as long as Christ is at the center, and we are being generous and loving. Some in our culture seem to assume, as I said, that if you get ahead, work hard, and move forward that you must have done bad things to get where you are. For many, this just simply is not true.

          No matter what becomes of our lives here on earth, we are called to love and care for all people. Some of us might advance in some ways that others do not, but we are still called to love and care for each other. As God provides for us, we can in turn help and provide for others. For God gives us all good things, so we then can do the same for other.  In fact, our reading from Psalm 91 says in 91:1-2 once again:

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;

my God, in whom I trust” (Ps. 91:1-2, NRSV).

 

          Some of us have sung these words of scripture in the song “On Eagle’s Wings”. We are reminded of God’s love, providence, and our command through Jesus Christ to love and care for others. No matter how far we go in this world, Christ commands us to be generous, giving, caring, and loving to all people.

          Our reading from the 1 Timothy 6:6-19 for this morning speaks more to what we are talking about this morning. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 say once again:

⁶ Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; ⁸ but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains (1 Tim. 6:6-10, NRSV).

 

     If our goal in this world is greed, possessions, and just money, then we have a created and idol in the place of God. Desiring wealth, possession, and riches is indeed not Godly. Working hard however, and getting ahead, if our focus in on Christ and others is not sinful. If we are willing to do anything to accumulate wealth, power, and possession, then we are not following God. If someone works hard their whole life and is loving, generous, and caring, this is a good thing.

          In continuing on in our reading from 1 Timothy, it says, once again, picking up starting in 6:11:

¹¹ But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. ¹⁶ It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen           (1 Tim. 6:11-16, NRSV).

 

     The Apostle Paul tells his friend Timothy and us to not pursue money, riches, and possessions, but rather righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. The Apostle Paul then tells Timothy and us to live for and like Christ, the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

This scripture reading conclude with the Apostle Paul telling his young friend Timothy and us, how to live. Our reading from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 concludes for this morning, saying once again:

¹⁷ As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life (1 Tim. 6:17-19, NRSV).

 

          If you work hard in this life, and if you accumulate some wealth, power, and possessions, do not be haughty, do not worship wealth and possessions, instead focus on God and each other. This is where the true riches are.

          This leads us to our gospel of Luke 16:19-31 reading for this morning once again. This is also where I got my sermon title, “The Real Sin of the Rich Man”. Starting in Luke 16:19 it says once again in this the parable or story of “The Rich man and Lazarus”:

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores        (Lk. 16:19-21, NRSV).

 

          So, a rich man, no doubt rich in wealth, property, and possessions, had great feasts every day. This man was dressed in purple and fine linen. Purple is the color of royalty, which is why our paraments are purple during the seasons of Lent and Advents. We are preparing for the death and the resurrection of the king in the season of Lent, and we are preparing for his birth in the season of Advent.

          This rich man, who can see in our worship picture, lived very well, and had more than enough. We do not know how this man acquired his wealth. This man could have acquired his wealth honestly or dishonestly. We really do not know. In this way, perhaps the rich man acquired his wealth honestly, or did not. Either way, the scripture tells us that the rich man feasted, which Lazarus lay sick at the gate in front of his house. I would think that the rich man was more than aware of the fact that Lazarus was there. I mean after all the rich man’s dogs would come and lick Lazarus’ sores. What was Lazarus’ affliction? We do not fully know that either. It could have been leprosy or something else. What we do know is that he was homeless and not well.

          Further, our gospel of Luke reading tells us that Lazarus was not jealous or angry at the rich man’s wealth and possessions. All Lazarus wanted was the food, the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. I mean even the dogs got those, but not Lazarus. My sermon is called, “The Real Sin of the Rich Man,” because the sin of the rich man, was not being rich, unless he acquired his wealth dishonestly. The real sin of the rich man was selfishness, greed, and a lack of love and compassion.

          In being in this community for over four years now, Melissa and I, like many of us have developed a great respect for Kyle Wescott over at the Great American grocery store. Twice every week, someone from the Great American brings over all the bread and pastries that are close to there expiration date. Could Kyle legally and rightfully just through those close to date bread and pastries in the garbage. Yes, he could. Instead, though, Kyle realizes that there are Lazarus’ in this community that would love some bread to eat. “The Real Sin of the Rich Man” this morning was not having some earthly success, it was being greedy, self-centered, and having no compassion and or concern.

          Nobody should have nothing to eat, especially in the richest country in the history of the world. The rich man’s sin was having so much, and not sharing even a little with a man who had nothing. Part of the reason we give on Sunday morning when the collection plates go around the sanctuary is to honor God with our generosity, love, and to be like Christ. All of us have seen food go to waste. Look at the garbage cans in many public-school cafeterias. All Lazarus wanted from the rich man, was a little food. He did not want his house, his property, or his wealth, he just wanted to eat. Likely the rich man threw out extra food, and for the longest time God put a man right in front of his house that he could have fed. Is our food bank vital to the mission and ministries of this church? You bet it is.

          In about month, our scouts are going to be having there annual “Scouting for Food” event, where people in the community are invited to give extra food for those in need. Friends it is not a crime, not a sin to work hard and get ahead, but if a man is sick and at the front gate of our house and we do nothing, is that not a sin?

          Well, how goes this parable or story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” end”. Picking up in Luke 16:22 it says of Lazarus:

²² The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side (Lk. 16:22-23, NRSV).

 

          Lazarus dies and carried away by angels to be with Abraham in heaven. The rich man also died and was buried, but went to Hades. In many ancient religions, all people’s souls went to the underworld. A common view of the underworld, or Hades, or Sheol, was that there where two parts of the underworld. One part is what we now call heaven, and one part is what we now call hell. Lazarus goes the heaven part of Hades, and the rich man, well he does not go to the heaven part of Hades.

          So, the rich man in the fires of hell or Hades, and Abraham and Lazarus go to him. Mostly likely not the most popular vacation destination, but they go to the rich man. In part I think, to see if the rich man changed at all. Well, what will the rich man do when Abraham and Lazarus see him. The rich man beats them to it, and in Luke 16:24 it says of Lazarus and the rich man this:

²⁴ He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames’    (Lk. 16:24, NRSV).

          So, the rich man does ask Abraham for forgiveness. The rich man does not even talk to Lazarus directly. The rich man says to Abraham, basically, “tell that “boy” to come over here and put his finger in water to cool off my tongue”. The rich man says that he is agony in the flames. Yet even in hell fire, the rich man does not talk to or address Lazarus. The rich man in no way acknowledges or apologizes to Lazarus. Instead, he says to Abraham “tell that “boy” to come over here and put his finger in water to cool off my tongue”. Even now, in the fires of hell, the rich man is unrepentant, does not apologize to Lazarus, and still shows him no respect or dignity. 

          So, what does Father Abraham have to say to the rich man then. This is what it says once again, picking up in Luke 16:25:

²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. ²⁶ Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us’                                (Lk. 16:25-26, NRSV).

          Remember, that in this parable or story, we have no repentance from the rich man, The rich man just asks to be taken out of hell fire. Abraham tells him that he will remain where he is. As a result, the rich man then asks Abraham to do something for him.

          Our gospel of Luke reading ends this morning with 16:27-31, with the rich man asking Abraham to have Lazarus do something else. Once again it says of the rich man: 

²⁷ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ ²⁹ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ ³⁰ He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ³¹ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead’ ” (Lk. 16:27-31, NRSV).

          Powerful words, from the parable or story that tells us our duty to each other. It is not a crime or sin to work hard, but it is a sin to be selfish, heartless, and uncaring for others. Perhaps there are Lazarus’ in our midst, and what do we do with all God has allowed to work so hard for?

          What gets me every time I read and or preach on the parable or story of “The Rich man and Lazarus” is that the rich man want his five brother to repent, but he himself does not repent. In his writing the “Problem with Pain” the great Roman Catholic scholar said this of hell:

“I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside” (The Problem of Pain, 130).

          What do we do with someone who selfish, greedy, unrepentant, unloving, uncaring, and even in hell fire, won’t even talk to the man he wronged. The rich man does not repent, does not show remorse, instead he tells Abraham of Lazarus “tell that “boy” to come over here and put his finger in water to cool off my tongue”. Then the rich man tells Abraham to have Lazarus warn his brothers of the fate he has come to have. Never apologizes to Lazarus, never asks for forgiveness. Maybe CS Lewis is right “that the doors of hell are locked on the inside” (The Problem of Pain, 130).

          So, what is the take away here my friends? Work hard, do your best for God, but realize that if God has given us the gifts, graces, and abilities to do anything that we are still to love, care for, and be good to one another. Lest, we are unapologetic and say “tell that “boy” to come over here and put his finger in water to cool off my tongue”. For this is “The Real Sin of the Rich Man”. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/18/22 - Sermon - “Dealing Fairly!”

Sunday 09/18/22 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Dealing Fairly!”                                                

Old Testament Scripture: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1                                       

New Testament Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Gospel Lesson: Luke 16:1-13

          I still remember late August, 2005. What happened in late August, 2005? Well probably various things, but the thing that comes to my mind is Hurricane Katrina. I remember watching in horror as New Orleans and other places were just devastated. Over 1,800 people died, homes were destroyed, and overall destruction and damage was in the billions of dollars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina).

          As I watched the drama of the hurricane play out on television, I saw some great and some not great things. I saw emergency workers do amazing things. I saw the churches and the giving that provided for the victims of the hurricane. I even saw our own United Methodist Church relief agency, UMCOR show up in force. United Methodist Church groups were working side by side with other churches and other organizations to help the people that lived through the hurricane. They brought food, water, and relief.

          While I saw some great things, I also some sad things. I saw a lot of looting and robbing. Perhaps the people were hungry and in need, or maybe it was more of an opportunity for some folks to get away with something that they normally could not get away with. The one that really got to me though was the price gouging. I remember hearing stories of people who went into a gas station, or a store, and the things that they wanted to purchase dramatically increased in price. I am not talking about the inflation that we are living through right now. Instead, I mean the $1.00 can of tuna fish, was now $10.00 - $15.00 dollars. Is there a logical reason in a natural disaster to raise prices this high? None I can think of that are reasonable. I mean if your family needed the food for themselves, then there is no reason to sell if for outrageous prices. You would just keep it.

          What would possess someone to raise their prices as much as 1000% percent or more during a crisis? In my opinion, it is generally greed and selfishness. Many of us have learned at least a little bit about economics in school, and we therefore probably learned about the concepts of supply and demand. If something is in demand and there is not much of it, the prices go up. If there is to much of something, or supply, then the prices go down. Since there were less automobiles being produced during the pandemic for example, when people starting buying cars again, the prices went up. There were too few cars, but demand was high. I have even heard of stories of some people selling their cars for the price they paid for it new or used, or even selling it for more. Supply and demand, it effects prices, but do we deal with people fairly? I didn’t hear of any cars costing ten times their original price in recent months.

          Sometimes people have the opportunity to capitalize on the fact that they have something that others want. They can charge a fair price for the $1.00 can of tuna, or they can charge $10.00 - $15.00 dollars for the can of tuna. If they charged maybe like $2.00 for the can I tuna, I get it, but $10.00 - $15.00 dollars! Further, when Hurricane Katrina ended, and when things began to normalize, I bet everyone in the area remembered that gas station or that store owner that made out big at the expense of others during the hurricane.

          The way that we deal with others and the integrity that we have in doing so matters as Christians. This is why my sermon for this morning is called, “Dealing Fairly!” Don’t get me wrong, when many of us sell something, a car, a house, etc., we want to get as much as we can for it, but 1,000% more? Many houses during the pandemic sold in a one day, or in a few days. Some people got there full asking price for there house, or even more, but 1,000% more?

          How do we “Deal Fairly” with each other, and with people in general? What is fair, and what is not fair? Further, how does it feel to be dealt with unfairly? How does it feel to be cheated or taken advantage of?

          In our reading from Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 for this morning, the prophet Jeremiah is disturbed and lamenting the judgement that is coming to the people of Israel. Jeremiah says indirectly that the people of Israel are not dealing fairly with God, because they are not following what they told God them to follow. In fact, the prophet Jeremiah laments the people of Israel in 8:20-22 once again, saying:

20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?

Why then has the health of my poor people

not been restored? (Jer. 8:20-22, NRSV).

 

Sometimes when people are not dealt with fairly, they can feel this way. Getting cheated, mistreated, or not treated well can sometimes make us feel the way that the prophet Jeremiah feels. Or this can happen in reverse.

Since we are talking about “Dealing Fairly” with people this morning, we have our scripture from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 once again, that tells us to treat and deal with everyone equally, or the same. In looking at this scripture it begins once again in 2:1 saying:

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth                    (1 Tim. 2:1-4, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul is telling Timothy and us that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone”. Not just some people, but everyone. We should love and “Deal Fairly” with everyone. The Apostle Paul tells us to do the same thing for kings and all in high positions, so “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity”. This is right and acceptable to God Paul says, and God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ.

          The Apostle Paul then concludes this reading from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 with 2:5-7, saying once again:

 5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all

—this was attested at the right time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth                              (1 Tim. 5-7, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus died for us all, therefore, Jesus loves us all the same and “Deals Fairly” with us all. Jesus even forgave Paul when he was Saul and persecuted the church, and still “Dealt Fairly” with Paul.

          In looking again at our gospel of Luke 16:1-13 reading for this morning, where I got my sermon title from, Jesus gives us the parable or story, of “The Unjust Steward” or “The Dishonest Manager”. In this parable or story Jesus tells us how to “Deal Fairly” with each other, and how to not deal fairly with each other. Starting in Luke 16:1 it says, once again:

16 Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. ² So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” ³ Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes” (Lk. 16:1-4, NRSV). 

          So, this “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” is fired by the rich man for squandering the rich man’s property. The manager or steward is not able to do physical labor to make a living, and is ashamed to beg. So, if the now fired manager or steward makes a deal with the rich man’s debtors, then the fired manager or steward can live with or be welcomed into the homes of some of the rich man’s debtors. Potentially then, it is the “The Unjust Steward’s” or “The Dishonest Manager’s” last day of work, and he summons all of the debtors of the rich man he works for.

          After summoning all of the rich man’s debtors, the scripture picks up with Luke 16:5 saying:

⁵ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” ⁶ He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” ⁷ Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” ⁸ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. ⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes                        (Lk. 16:5-9, NRSV).

          This parable or story from Jesus is one of the most confusing of all of his parables or stories in the gospels. Why? Well, the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” squanders some of the rich man’s property. So, this is obviously not a good thing. Knowing that he is not able to do physical labor and is too proud to beg, the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” summons all of his former boss’s debtors. We can maybe assume the firing of the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” by the rich man, and the summoning of the rich man’s debtors from the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” might have all occurred in the same day. We do not know.

          This then is not the confusing part of this parable or story though. What is, is that the now fired “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward,” summons the rich’s man debtors and forgives some of there debt. Further, the rich man commends the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” for forgiving some of the debt of the rich man’s debtors. Well, why would the rich man commend the fired “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” for forgiving some of the debt of his debtors.

          One of favorite Bible commentaries, the Africa Bible Commentary compares the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” to the parable of “The Prodigal Son”. In each parable or story, they both squandered wealth and property that they did not earn. Yet, in both stories they changed. The “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” forgives some of the debt of the rich man’s debtors, and the prodigal son humbles himself and returns to his father (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1262).

          Remember as well, that the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” forgave some of the debt of the debtors of the rich man, so that he could bribe them to then allow him to live with them. Yet, the rich man, realized that the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward,” and we do not know what property or wealth he squandered from the rich man, was fair and generous. Perhaps the lessening of the debt by the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward,” was removing the interest, or just being kind. “The Prodigal Son” and the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” were selfish and greedy, but they changed. Well maybe, did the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” really change, as he was motivated by bribing the rich man’s debtors to get a free place to live.

          Perhaps the rich man did not realize the deception here of the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward,” but what the rich man did do was commend him for acting shrewdly. The “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” went from being greedy and selfish, to on the surface anyway, “Dealing Fairly” with the rich man’s debtors. Did the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” then get his job back? We don’t know, but the rich man was impressed that on the surface anyway that the “Dishonest Manager” or “Unjust Steward” acted generously, unselfish, and dealt fairly with his debtors.

          Jesus then concluded this gospel of Luke 16:1-13 lesson saying in 16:10-13 this:

¹⁰ ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. ¹¹ If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? ¹³ No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth’ (Lk. 16:10-13, NRSV).

          Jesus is telling us that we need to be faithful, have integrity, and do what is right. If we have diligence with a little, then we are more likely to have diligence with more. If we are dishonest or deceitful with a little, we are more likely to be dishonest and deceitful in a lot. Jesus speaks of true riches, which is not necessarily money, property, or possessions. “True riches” are the blessings of God in Jesus Christ, and the faith we share. Anything material that God does allow us to have, we are but caretakers for, as everything is God’s. Jesus also says that if we do not do the right thing with others possessions and wealth, who will give us what is our own?

          Essentially then, Jesus is saying either we are faithful to him, his teachings, to goodness, faithfulness, and righteousness, or we are not. Do we all still have some areas of our lives that need work and maybe need repentance? Sure, but Jesus is saying that you cannot fully serve him and at the same time fully serve someone or something else. We need to “Deal Fairly” with each other, and most importantly with God. We cannot have two masters Jesus said, and we cannot serve God and wealth. Amen.