Readings
for Proper 28:
Malachi 3:13-4:21, 5-6; Psalm 98; Luke 21:5-19
November 14, 2004
The Rev. Mary B. Blessing
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
Today, I'm going to talk with you about financial stewardship of our ministry. I want to do this in the context of today's gospel reading because Jesus warns us against the folly of worshiping the Temple rather than worshiping God. While we all enjoy inspiring architecture, beautiful landscape, and a holy place, we must keep things in perspective. When we give to the Church, we must do it as an act of giving to the work of the Holy Spirit ministering through the people, not as an act of building a monument to God.
To the Jews in Jesus' day, the Temple at Jerusalem was supposed to be built as a sign of God's glory. In the theology of ancient Judaism, the Temple is the foundation for all that is true, beautiful, just, and eternal. The Jews of Jesus time believed the Temple was a sacred precinct, the cosmic center of the Universe, "the place where heaven and earth converge". (Anchor Bible Dictionary, v. VI, p. 359) It was truly sacred in ways that go beyond what we imagine when we picture the most beautiful cathedral, the most inspiring architecture, the most glorious stained glass, the most sacred place we can possibly imagine. As one priest recently said,
"The most influential and spectacular cathedral any of us has ever known could not compare with the Temple in Jesus' day. It was not only the center of Jerusalem, but the center of Jewish life - and not just its spiritual life, but its social and economic life as well. If we could somehow put the National Cathedral, the Supreme Court, the White House, the Congress, and Washington's greatest shopping center all together in one great building, we Episcopalians might then have a sense of what the Temple meant to the Jews." (The Rev. Donna Ross)
The Temple was all this and more to the Jews of Jerusalem. But Herod had perverted the purpose of the Temple, and built it from a place of pride. He wanted to outdo Solomon.
Luke tells us Jesus predicted this Temple would be destroyed. All that the Jews hold sacred would be destroyed, and yet, Jesus tells his followers not to fear, "do not be terrified." Trust me. Anchor your life in Christ's holy presence, and all will be well.
Can you imagine what would happen if the people of the United States heard someone declare that every stone of every building and institution we find sacred will be destroyed? In our present day climate of war, terrorism, and fear-based political leadership, we would be horrified to hear someone predict that the National Cathedral, the Supreme Court, the White House, the Congress and Washington's greatest shopping center would all be destroyed. We would not be surprised to learn that the person who declared this doom would himself be put to death within a week of such a declaration.
This is what happened to Jesus. Jesus died within a week of his prophecy that the Temple would be destroyed. And sure enough, the Temple was destroyed--almost as soon as it was completed. Herod did not even live long enough to see it finished. The Temple was destroyed, not by Jesus or his followers, but by Roman invaders (Titus Flavius Vespasianus) who found all that it represented to be a threat to the power they as humans wanted to lord over the people of God.
Those who heard of the life and teachings of Jesus, who listened to his warnings and made the decision to follow him--even if it meant persecution and possible death--were transformed people. They were people who turned their hearts from worship of the Temple to worship of God. Destruction of the Temple was a sign to the developing Christian community that Jesus was who he said he was, the Son of God who showed the way to worship. Jesus worshipped not just in temple ritual, but by the life he lived.
Jesus lived his life as one who always sought the presence of God wherever he was, with whoever he was. Those who followed Jesus' compassionate way of caring for the poor, healing the blind, inviting the outcast, visiting prisoners, comforting widows, blessing children-were people who came to understand that God does not simply reside in the Temple. God is present in every act of mercy, wherever and whenever one gives God's grace, God's unmerited gifts, to all persons, including "undeserving" persons who cannot pay the Temple tax.
The Temple worship tax of Jesus' day had moved far from the original thank offerings of Abraham and Jacob. Originally, the tithe (or 10%) of earnings were given to God in great thanksgiving for all that God had done to bless the people of God. Abraham gave 10% of all he owned to Melchizadek, the priest of Salem who blessed Abraham with bread and wine. (Genesis 14:18-20). Just after this blessing, Abraham made his covenant with God, who blessed Abraham with a son, Isaac. Later his son, Jacob, set up his altar to God, and gave 10% of all he had in thanksgiving for God's fulfillment of promised land. (Genesis 28:10-22) Soon the tithe became the rule, expected of all God's people. 10% of all that one had was, by rule, given to Levitican priests. Furthermore, people were required to give "first fruits", the first 10%, not the last.
Jesus challenged tithing rules. Not because he didn't think people should give money for the work of God, but because to give in response to a rule is not giving from a transformed heart. Jesus tells us that giving in an attempt to find favor with God by buying his mercy is completely useless. You cannot buy God's mercy; it is free. Do not give out of fear, as if to fend off God's wrath. Give out of love, because you are filled with love. Sure, you can pay 10% out of fear, and Temple leaders will appreciate all that you give. But, it makes no real sense to give 10% to the Temple if you have not first given your life to God.
How many of us sitting here today can honestly say we have fully and completely committed our lives to God? Have you fully surrendered your life to Christ? This is what Jesus asks of his followers first and foremost. Committing your life to Christ means offering ALL of who you are to God, because you now recognize that all you have is because of God. Like Abraham or Jacob, out of the blessing you receive for what God does in your life, you will want to give at least 10% of the BEST of what you have.
Let me speak to those of you willing to commit your life completely to following Christ. If you are not willing to do that, you can stop listening now. If you have committed your life to Christ, you may wonder, where does God want me to put my money for God's work? God's work can be found in many places, inside and outside the Church. I want to encourage you to give at least 10% to the work of the Church, because it is here, in the Church that we experience the incarnate God, Jesus Christ. It is here in the lives of the people gathered that we see acts of mercy and compassion for all. It is here that people come to specifically encourage one another to find the light of Christ in the darkest challenges of life. It is here that we hear the Word of God and learn to live it, to inwardly digest what God tells us, that we may hold the hope of everlasting life. It is here that we come to the Lord's Table to seek forgiveness, to kneel in holiness, and to commune in thanksgiving in the presence of Christ.
Today I am called to ask you to give financially to St. Jude's Church. But, as Bruce said, this is a free-will asking. We are not asking for membership dues. We are not taxing you. You are not required to give in order to fully participate in all we have to offer here. Our doors are open 24/7 for you to enter and worship God any time, any day of the week. All are welcome to the Lord's Table to fully participate in Christ's Holy Communion. Pastors are on hand to help you through personal spiritual crises. Priests will baptize, marry and bury you. Music leaders will lead you in worship. Teachers, mentors and babysitters will care for your children. Refreshments will be provided. All these things cost real money. And you are welcome to calculate their worth to you and pay accordingly. But that kind of consumer giving does not give you the same benefit of spiritual transformation, of giving from a heart that has turned completely toward God.
Take time now to prayerfully consider: am I willing to commit my life completely to God? Am I willing to follow the way of Jesus Christ, and give all that I am to His purposes?
If so, what will I contribute to St. Jude's, a place whose purpose is to do the work of Jesus Christ for the glory of God?
AMEN
| Updated 11/15/04 |
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