Take Hold of Life
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
I Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
We had the opportunity as a family to visit New York City recently at the height of the holiday season. We saw many of the tourist highlights: Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree, The Empire State Building, and the “Rockettes Christmas Show” at Radio City Music Hall. It was a blessing as a family to stay with our friends (B.J. & Sheila Weber) who have been used powerfully in service for the kingdom there for over 30 years. B.J. will be our retreat leader at our Annual Men’s Retreat in Jumonville, March 18-20, 2011.
You could say that we got to experience NYC all “dressed up” for Christmas. We enjoyed many aspects of this great financial center of the world, but I was struck with the Madison Avenue message that competes fiercely to empty Christmas of its power. The promise of true life through Jesus, our Immanuel. Secular retailers advance instead their mantra of materialism and good will. The forty-foot signs hanging from the ceiling at Macy’s proclaimed this message in the faith parlance, “Believe.” The frenzied shoppers got the message: to believe is to buy. Many will say that the buying is necessary for the giving and it is in the giving that we take hold of life. Too often our giving reflects the shallowness of loving only those who love us. This is not an expression of the unconditional love of Jesus, the incarnate son of God.
Let’s look at the sequence of commands that Paul gives to young Timothy and some take-aways for us from our passage above.
- We are the rich! It’s not the guy next door with a bigger house, a nicer car, or a better pension. It is me. If we make $25k that puts us in the 90th percentile in terms of wealth in the world. Hard to believe but true.
- Do not be arrogant or believe the delusion you are self-sufficient, instead be humble.
- Don’t put your hope in financial security. Your ING number (retirement nest egg) may be significant but a corporate bankruptcy or a market crash can wipe it away in a moment.
- Put your hope in God alone! The context of Paul’s message in this regard is clear: hope is found in Christ alone who came into the world to save sinners of whom Paul viewed himself as the chief. (1:15)
- He provides us with all good and necessary things for our enjoyment.
- Be lavish in doing good for others. Be unique among the wealthy don’t spoil yourself, instead share and give generously to those in need.
- Storing treasure in heaven must be our goal-this is done through the paradox of giving away our very lives here on earth. This involves our material blessings but also our talents and time. This may mean a re-prioritization of our schedules.
- If we live this way we will take hold of Jesus’s life and demonstrate it powerfully to a dying secular society.
We are indebted to so many of you for your generous financial support, friendship and prayer in 2010. We could not have done it without you! A matching gift of $20,000 has been offered with respect to all financial gifts and pledges made to White Fields Foundation before the close of 2010. If you can help us with a year-end gift or pledge for 2011 it will help us to get through the next two months and help stabilize our financial base to meet monthly expenses.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
