Mark 19:17-31
Lectionary 28 ~ Pentecost 21
In case you have not noticed, we are a generous congregation! This year, we donated over 200 pairs of sneakers to children so that they could begin the new school year without the embarrassment of wearing worn out shoes that don’t fit. As a result of our scholarship money given to our Preschool, a child has been afforded the chance to form healthy relationships with teachers and other children, and to engage in learning that provides foundational skills needed to grow. We have funded education for young people in Africa through Godparents for Tanzania. One of our beloved students, Roggy, was able to come for a visit through your generosity. He is now working to keep elephants and rhinos and other wildlife safe from human predators. As a side note, Roggy will be getting married to his love, Consesa. On November 18, come to church with smiles. We will be videotaping our blessings to them.
The many ways we give extends far beyond the few things that I have mentioned. Many of you volunteer not just here, but out in our community as well. We are a generous congregation! Did I mention that today is Stewardship Sunday? Which leads me to our reading from Mark.
As Jesus was just beginning his journey, -he was headed toward Jerusalem and his death-a man ran up to him. The man’s question for Jesus was weighing heavily on him. “‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” I can’t help but wonder why he asked this. The man didn’t ask for things that others did, such as to be healed, or for bread.
Jesus answered him, “Don’t murder or commit adultery. Don’t lie, steal or cheat. Do honor your parents. “I’ve obeyed these laws all of my life,” the man defended. “There is one more thing,” Jesus answered. “Go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Did I mention today is Stewardship Sunday?
The man was shocked and began to grieve. We are not told specifically what caused the man to be so sad, but scholars believe that he couldn’t bring himself to part with his stuff, and so he walked away from Jesus upset. He was disappointed that he could not have both eternal life and his life as it was, too. What he thought was that everything he had was his. The truth is that everything we have is God’s.
What we do know is that in the time and place of Jesus’ encounter, society was structured hierarchically. The rich were at the top, and the emperor was at the tippy top. When the emperor granted gifts, his beneficiaries showed their gratitude in the form of taxes, tributes, loyalty, and favors. When a rich person gave business or gifts to people, or did favors for people of a lesser status, they were given honor, and gifts and favor in return. In other words, these benefits imposed a debt upon the recipient. If I do something for you, you are obligated to me. The culture was one of transactional gratitude. Of course, times have changed and this system doesn’t exist in our society, right?
When the person asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life,” he was trapped in his transactionally-minded culture. Inheritances are gifts, not something you do to earn them. We are inheritors of gifts that we dId not earn, and do not deserve. In our baptisms, by water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn children of God, and inheritors of eternal life. In our confession, we are reminded that God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace, [we] have been saved.
The person in our story to needed to DO something. His life needed to be under his control. If he sold everything he had, and then gave his money to the poor, he would lose his position as a benefactor, his social standing would plummet, and he would lose the honor and respect that he bought. Worst of all, he would lose the independence.
I think this is Jesus’ point. This man depended on status, things, people, and money for his life. Giving all that up would mean he would be totally dependent on God. Jesus challenges this unnamed man, and us, to let go of the things we think we need. Jesus calls us to follow him, to trust him with our whole lives, not just part of it.
Jesus does not see this person as intentionally evil. Jesus confronts the man with his weakness, his captivity to possessions. This is what stands in the way of him living into the full life of God’s kingdom. This person’s name could be yours or mine. We all cling to something that prevents us from totally trusting God. What would happen if we let go of whatever that is?
We are a generous congregation! God calls us to grow in our generosity. Scholar Walter Brueggemann writes:
Imagine stewardship as moving toward and living in the impossibility that is God’s good gift. Before God finishes with us, we shall be new selves, praising our savior all the day long, going out in joy, walking in the light of shalom, no longer petty, or calculating or grudging.[1]
God blesses us richly so that we will bless others. I invite you to do as I am—delve deeply into your relationship with God, and your response to God’s generosity. I invite you to delve deeply into your wallet! If you are not giving at all, in what are you placing your trust? I invite you all to take a leap of faith. If you contribute 5 percent of your income, commit to 6. If 10 percent, promise 11. Not only is generosity a gift of the Spirit, it is a spiritual discipline that changes our relationship with stuff, with people, and with God. Did you know that research shows people who give generously are happier than those who don’t? How happy do you want to be?
Brueggemann concludes:
You may think, as I often do, that to be resituated in and redefined by the mystery of generosity and gratitude is impossible…But what the Lord …said to the rich guy he also says to us: For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.[2]
Pastor Cheryl Ann Griffin
[1]Brueggemann, Walter. “The Impossible Self as Steward.”The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann.Louisville: John Knox Press, 2015. 275-276.