Who Cheers for Goliath?

Next week the Super Bowl game will be played in Arizona. Already members of the media have descended upon the city in anticipation of writing or filming the stories, headlines, and special interest pieces. Whether you know it or not, the New England Patriots are playing against the New York Giants this year. The Patriots are undefeated on the season and have already broken the single season win total set by the 1972 Miami Dolphins and look to go 19-0 if they defeat the Giants. The Giants are the Cinderella team that has pulled off an amazing win streak with each victory being on the road. So who do you think has dominated the headlines and been the sheik pick to win the game over the past week? The New York Giants, of course! Why would anyone pick the Giants to win when the Patriots boast the juggernaut offense led by cover-boy Tom Brady and bad-boy turned good-guy Randy Moss? Because no-one cheers for Goliath, that’s why.
The story of the future kind of Israel, David, and his battle with the giant Goliath is told in 1Samuel 17. All the other warriors of Israel looked at the Philistine army and saw the giant Goliath ready to battle in hand-to-hand combat. All of the soldiers were afraid to go out and face this huge man. The Israelites were not “professional” fighters like we think of in today’s army. Many were farmers and merchants who joined in the fight against the enemy armies when needed. Here was Goliath. His armor probably outweighed most of the men. He looked unbeatable. A small boy who had experienced dangerous work watching his father’s sheep, realized that he could defeat the big man. He had killed both a lion and a bear with his own hands and now he could kill Goliath too, but he needed God’s help. He was sure God would help him. He picked up five smooth stones and when he went out to battle Goliath, he loaded his sling with one of the stones and hurled it toward the giant man. When the stone struck its target, it cracked Goliath’s forehead and sent him tumbling down to the ground. David even cut off the giant’s head with the giant’s own sword. All were amazed!
David was an underdog. We love underdogs in our society. Think back to all the underdogs who won big games or events. The USA men’s hockey team in 1980, Buster Douglas defeating Mike Tyson, the New York Jets defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III (Joe Namath guaranteed it), NC State over Houston in men’s basketball in 1983 (my personal favorite), or even this year when division II Appalachian State defeated Michigan in college football. All of these events and movies like Rocky, Hoosiers, and even Star Wars have created a culture of people who cheer for the underdog.
While the boy David was an underdog, we see that throughout the Bible, God seems to be a fan of underdogs who look to Him for help. Moses, Nehemiah, the prophets, Paul, and the early church all were not expected to accomplish much. Even the mighty Roman Empire that put Jesus on the cross would come to worship Him less than 800 years later. Because of God, they all overcame every obstacle placed before them.
Do you feel like the underdog in life? Many people feel that they haven’t gotten the breaks or the opportunities that would make them better. That is a harsh truth in our society, but you have an advocate… God. God loves you dearly and while that might not get you a raise at work or a supermodel girlfriend or boyfriend, it will gain you release from the worries that any of that has any real importance. We give thanks for God’s love and mercy and know that it is by grace and not our actions that we are loved. We seek God’s will and not your own in an effort to know God and be obedient disciples.
If you like the Dallas Cowboys or any other team in the NFC East, how could you pull for the Giants? It is a difficult decision, but what choice do I have? So who cheers for Goliath? Next Sunday, it will be me…Go PATRIOTS!

The Gospel Is Not One Bit Legalistic

How’s your New Year going so far? Are you feeling anxious because you know the credit card bill is coming in the mail? Did you do enough at Christmas… give enough… too much… did you give the “right” gift… did it all go well? All these are questions you may ask yourself after the holidays. All too often we expect a great deal out of ourselves. This sometimes leads us to question what we have done and what we have left un-done. Everyone has shortcomings and yet sometimes we simply wish we could do it all. And we feel guilty when we can’t get it all done. Even in our faith life, if we could just “do more” then it will be enough.
I recently read an article by Dr. Roy Gane. He addresses our overt need to live up to others expectations and our own. We live in a society where performing well is praised and failing is frowned upon. He says that from the time we are children, we are taught lessons about “getting it all done.” Many people fall into the trap of believing that their entire self worth is wrapped up in living up to “a standard.” It is likely engrained into our subconscious that we just aren’t doing enough. This is just another form of legalism. Jesus attacks such legalism in Matthew 5:17-18 by saying that He “has come not to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law.” Also this in Ephesians 2:8 by saying, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
People of Jesus’ day and ours get caught up in legalism. In other words, rather than the Law protecting people and serving them, the Law was used to oppress some people.
Gane names two common ways that we get caught up in legalism. This occurs when there is a latching onto non-essential views and creating an elitist atmosphere for those who agree and condemnation for those who don’t. I am reminded of a story about a little girl whose Grandfather told her that Sunday’s were made for worship and she should be prayerful and slow. The child walked by a horse in a fence. The horse had his eyes closed and looked relaxed, the girl shouted, “Old fella… you must be a good Christian horse!” In other words, if you don’t act accordingly, you must not have the right faith. The second form of legalism is that of having works righteousness or what I call “a get-of- hell-free card” in your pocket (if you have ever played the game of Monopoly you know what I am talking about). That is when someone actually believes that if they are “good” God will be happy and welcome them into heaven. Obedience to God is not simply living by lots of rules.
The answer lies in the fact that we all, no matter what we do, fall short. But, we really don’t get what we deserve… God’s wrath. We get what we do not deserve and that is grace, forgiveness, and love. The problem with any form of legalism is that we hear a false gospel. God’s love is not dependent on our obedience or lack thereof. It is legalism that causes the Pharisee to be proud in the presence of a tax collector. It is legalism that causes a missionary in Africa to believe that God is more pleased with him than the businessman in America. It is legalism that causes the Christian in the pew to feel superior to the golfer on the tee. And it is legalism that causes the preacher to think God is more pleased with him than with the tatooed woman sitting in the bar.
The truth again… God loves you and is wholly and completely in love with you. You are the child God always wanted and God has made each of us pure, not by our work, but by the work of Christ on the cross. Christ’s blood shed for us all is the gospel. We are loved. That is why we want to be obedient, because God first loved us and we are so thankful. Examine yourself and rely totally upon Christ. May you be blessed and freed by reading this message! Until next time, in Christ!

Will We Choose Jesus After Christmas?

By the age of twelve, both of my parents had died. Fortunately, I have two older sisters, both of whom were willing to take me in. I settled into life with one of them, Judy and her husband, Charles. I was not adopted, but to some degree that is what happened. There is a deep and abiding love when you adopt someone.
That had to be the way Joseph, the father of Jesus, felt. He knew the child was not his, yet he became the boy’s father. In the biblical account of Matthew 1:18-25, we find that Joseph is perplexed about how to handle his situation. At first he decides to divorce Mary. In those days, Jewish marriages had three stages. First, the families would have agreed to the marriage. Second, the marriage would have been made public (this is the stage Joseph and Mary are in at this point in the story). And finally, the marriage would have been completed with a ceremony. The text says, “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” Had Joseph made a fuss, Mary might well have been accused of adultery and stoned to death. Even if he felt betrayed, he still cared enough for her to dismiss her quietly. It is likely that he would have continued through with the marriage and later gotten a divorce paper from a Pharisee or Sadducee as the Law required.
But God knew Joseph and wanted him to be Jesus’ earthly father. God sent an angel to tell Joseph about the miraculous birth and that Mary had been faithful to him. Would Joseph listen to his dream about the angel or would he do as he had planned. The Bible says, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Joseph did not hesitate. He listened to the angel and was obedient.
At our church, we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas holiday celebration. It was festive and joyful as we sang Christmas songs, watched kids dress in bathrobes and sheets to reenact the birth of Jesus, and filled the sanctuary with light as we lit each other’s Christmas Eve candle. But… now what???
Just like Joseph, we must move forward. As any parent knows… having the baby is only the beginning of the work. Now comes the dirty diapers, feedings at 3 a.m., and overall care of the child. So too, the church, the body of Christ, must be cared for. There is worship to plan, education events for kids and adults, fellowship dinners, maintenance to do and so many other things that are not glamorous or always fun… but needed. I think about those who only attend at Christmas and Easter and I guess they don’t really get it. Caring for the Christ child isn’t simply done at His birth or the event of His death. It is a year round, life-long, commitment. Not one of drudgery, but a commitment of thankfulness for the new life and the joy that Christ brings. Our love for Him is slight compared to His love for us. Will you take Jesus into your home after Christmas?Will you love Him and care for Him? I pray that you will.

Of Snakes, Locusts, Warts, and a Wild Man

Do you ever watch the television show “Dirty Jobs?” That’s the show where a guy travels around the country doing jobs that everyday people do for a living and all of these jobs are generally filled with grimy, stinky, dirty, filthy, disgusting, and sometimes downright gross things. The other week the star, Mike Rowe, was in an attic and he was helping a guy kill a huge infestation of bugs and he reached down and found a six foot skin that had been shed by a snake.
That reminds me of the story of John the Baptist. First let me say that John is not your typical preacher. He is a bit of a wild man with his furry outfit and his eating habits. In fact, I have never been in a church that had a preacher like John. If you want to win friends and influence people the last way to begin a sermon is with the words… “You brood of vipers.” I can’t imagine too many pulpit committees looking at each other and thinking “this has got to be our next preacher!” It’s more likely that had John been in a church that appointed its preachers to pulpits, the Bishop would have gotten a phone call before the service concluded. But that’s John…calling the Pharisees and Sadducees a bunch of snakes!
But John was more than just a name caller. Matthew 3:1 says that he preached about repentance. What does repentance mean? The Greek word is “metanoia” which means “to think differently after.” In other words, we are called to think about what we just did and examine that act in light of God’s will. Did I act as God would have wanted me too? Most of the time this isn’t much of reflection, but sometimes things happen in life that cause us to deeply address ourselves and our actions. When we reflect and think differently about the future and we know in our hearts that what we did was not how God would want us to act, then we are repentant. The Pharisees and Sadducees had no room for such reflection. They knew they were right. When you are convinced that you are always right, there is no room for true reflection, only a façade of false piety. That’s one of the faults that researcher George Barna speaks of in his book, Building Your Church from the Outside In. We Christians are perceived by non-churched people to be hypocritical in that we point out others faults, but never address our own. Let me echo Barna’s thoughts, unfortunately too often they are right. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God and we must be humble in our own faith. As Christians we are flawed, yet we endeavor to honestly reflect and when needed “think differently.” Thus if we do so, others will see our lives change and know that we are living out our faith.
Remember that snake skin? John might have thought about those who act as snakes, they don’t change… they simply shed one skin and move right on with another one in the exact same pattern. God loves you and knows you “warts and all” and in a Christian community there are none who are perfect, only sinners who cry out for grace. This Christmas season find a church home where you might find a family of faith and give thanks to God for the grace shown to each of us in a child born in a manger, Jesus.

A Unique Endorsement

I had to have my car worked on this past week. While sitting in the dealership waiting for my name to be called, I sat chatting with a woman. The television flashed an advertisement for Professional Wresting and she commented to me that her grandkids “love that stuff.” Over the years I have had many friends who loved it too. My dad watched it regularly and so did other family members. I recall Saturdays when the entire schedule was centered upon “when wrasslin’ was comin’ on.” In fact, years later, a college friend won tickets on a radio contest and I, along with three other guys, went with him to sit at ringside. The history of wrestling has evolved from fat chubby guys with no athletic prowess to today’s behemoth, muscle-bulging power-lifters. Styles have changed and most guys have come and gone, but one thing has remained the same… Ric Flair.
Ric Flair has been a part of pro wrestling since I first saw it in the 70’s. He went from young star to multi-time champion. He has been around for so long and is so well known that this week I saw his name listed in the politics section of the newspaper. You see, this past week “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair threw his weight around once more. Only this time he was not in the ring - he was endorsing a political candidate, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. First I was shocked that it made such news. It was one of those moments when I thought, “What… you mean Hulk Hogan wasn’t available?” Why would a candidate for political office want a pro wrestler not only endorsing his campaign, but also stumping in the state of South Carolina. (Maybe he’ll get Steve Austin, for Texas?) First of all, if you weren’t aware, wrestling is fake! What does that say about such an endorsement?
It reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel 8. The people of Israel wanted a king. The prophet Saul went to God and asked for a king. God wanted to remain their king, but the people insisted that God was not sufficient and they wanted to be like other nations with a king. So, Saul found a handsome man who looked like a great king and Samuel chose him as king. He was a terrible king! The next king, God himself chose. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel to go find Jesse and his sons; from this family he would find the next king. Samuel thinks that surely the oldest and handsomest must be the chosen one, but God says “No.” Each son is examined and each God rejects. Finally Samuel asks Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” David, the youngest and most unlikely is not present and is keeping the sheep. David is the chosen one! He is the one with the heart for God because God judges the heart not the looks of a person. We too must be careful who we choose to be our leaders. Often we look at the outside of a person instead of examining their heart. I think that today it would be virtually impossible for a man like Abraham Lincoln to be chosen President. He was not a handsome fellow.
As for Mike Huckabee, I have no opinion - but what an interesting choice of endorsement in the person of Ric Flair. Don’t get me wrong. I have a very good friend, Tom Butler, who worked in the Charlotte, NC media and is a good friend of Ric Flair. He says that the guy is really nice and not anything like his wrestling character (whooooo!). I see all kinds of folks endorsing the many candidates, including former President Bill Clinton on the late-night television circuit… I wonder who he is endorsing? May I be so bold to suggest that you give every effort to find out a person’s heart, not just what you see on the outside. Samuel learned that lesson with Saul and David. Be it candidates for office or even people who are our friends, God loves us all, but not all love God. We must be wise and follow people who seek God’s will first in their life.

The Truth Is What God Wants

Another Halloween has come and gone. Did you have trick-or-treaters or did you actually go out yourself? I had many a cute kid come to my door from a Clone Soldier from Star Wars, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, to the obvious scary parade of witches and horror movie impersonators. I certainly enjoyed seeing the kids and I know they had a blast gathering bag-loads of candy.
Even so, one thought troubles me when it comes to this whole Halloween thing…evil. Evil is not a silly joke to be celebrated like some figment of a foolish person’s imagination. Evil is real and takes many forms. Maybe I need to clarify. Yes, there are different types of evil. There is demonic/satanic evil which is written about in the Bible - stories of Job, Legion, and the Book of Revelation. But a very dangerous and common form is the evil Jesus encountered in Matthew 16:23 when He tells Peter “get behind me Satan.” You see, Peter wanted what Peter wanted. This form of evil is a denial of what God wants and an insistence of what the individual wants. When someone begins to accept his or her own heart’s desire over and above what God wants, then, that becomes evil and it too is often hidden behind our mask.
What Would Jesus Want? WWJW? How do we find out what God wants for us? We must first pray, but then we need to look to the faith community for answers. King David wanted to hide his adulterous affair, but Nathan the prophet came to him and confronted David with the truth - not to simply point out David’s sin, but to help him confess, repent, seek forgiveness, and become someone after God’s own heart. In fact, simply pointing out another’s failings if done in a self-righteous manner is itself not of God but evil as well. But, an honest truth teller attempts to draw an individual closer to God and restore the individual by destroying the lie and self-deceit.
Author and Pastor John Ortberg calls it “the gift nobody wants.” It is the gift of accountability. We want to know ourselves, but then again we don’t. It is like looking in a mirror or getting on a scale. The cold, hard, factual truth comes to bare. Ortberg says, “When people are engaged in destructive, soul-threatening behavior, they need a mirror.” Telling people what they want to hear is not love, it is evil. This is true everywhere… including within the church. It is frightening to hear the truth because we fear chaos and the lack of control that goes with it. The questions arise: “What might happen if the truth is told?” and “Who might be offended?” But real community invites and seeks the truth. Anything else is simply what The Road Less Traveled author M. Scott Peck calls “pseudo-community.” Do you have someone who tells you the truth... someone who loves you and whom you love who can serve as your Nathan? At times, we all think that we know what we want, but is that really what God wants or are we simply following the steps of Peter? God loves you and wants your life to be one of discipleship, so find yourself a faith community and someone you trust to help you be the man or woman after God’s own heart.

Joel Osteen,… Gospel Light or Gospel Lite?

“Tastes Great!”, “Less Filling!” You probably remember that commercial from some years back touting the positive points of new low calorie Lite Beer. Today, I want to focus on what some religious critics are calling “Gospel Lite.” Joel Osteen is the pastor of the Lakewood Church in Houston, now the largest church in America. You may also know him from his weekly television program. His first book, Your Best Life Now, was a great success and now his follow-up Become A Better You hits the shelves this week.
Osteen’s messages seems to appeal to many people, or in other words, “Tastes Great!” To his critics, there’s not much difference between Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dear Abby, and Osteen when it comes to telling people how to make their own lives better. Osteen’s style and venue differ greatly from most self-help gurus. While Dr. Phil and Oprah give advice from a couch in a television studio and Dear Abby from the pages of the newspaper, Osteen gives his warm, fuzzy advice from a pulpit in a huge mega-church (which was once the Compaq Center in Houston). With a never-ending smile, Osteen dispenses faith without fear, love without consequences, and joy without tears. Critics say it “tastes great” because there is nothing but sugary sweet words of affirmation. In a recent interview with Larry King, Osteen said, “I don’t think I need to hit people over the head with guilt or fear, only the goodness of God. You can be assured that God is pleased with you.”
Critics also call Osteen’s brand of preaching light on solid theology or “Less Filling!” They ask, “Where are words of repentance, sin, or grace?” Many critics point to his “Prosperity Gospel” as well. He often tells his listeners that God wants to give them wealth, status, and even power through promotions at work. Such a theology has been panned as considered wrong by most Christian denominations. God doesn’t answer prayers to provide everyone a Mercedes Benz or Presidential suite at posh hotels.
To his defense, Osteen says that he did not see himself as a preacher and until the death of his father, founder of the Lakewood Church, was not intending to preach. He holds no seminary degree and was a producer of the television show at for seven years before becoming the pastor. He simply felt it was his time to step up and take over the ministry.
As a pastor, I have mixed feelings about Osteen and his self-help gospel of affirmation. On one hand I understand the critics, some poor theology yet sweet words to the listeners ears. But I also have to be careful to not condemn Osteen. While I may not ready to hold him up as the next Billy Graham, maybe he should not be dismissed as another Jim Bakker either. His brand of the gospel seems to be more akin to the power of positive thinking of Norman Vincent Peele from years ago. Biblically, I think of when the disciples ran to Jesus in Mark 9: 38-40 saying, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, because no one who does a miracle in my name will be able soon afterward to say anything bad about me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” But that must be measured against scriptures like 2 Peter 2:1-19”…there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves.” Is he teaching truth or simply whispering sweet nothings into people’s ears? Is there any balance to his preaching? Will we hear any words of challenge to repent… change… and be obedient or simply work hard to “smile and be nice?” Yes God loves us, but I am troubled that his words are simply too one sided.Time will tell if Osteen is someone who is to be taken seriously or if he is simply the flavor of the day. Other tele-evangelist like Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, and so many more have simply come and gone, mainly due to their own inept behavior. But let’s not throw Joel Osteen out too quickly. He is reaching many people. For his sake, I pray that his Gospel Lite is truly based on scripture and the “Light of the World… Jesus Christ.” It’s something to think about. You will have to make your own judgment on that!

A Lesson from the Boy in Aisle Five

Years ago, when I was a young Associate Pastor, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie. He was had just resigned from his pastorate in Hollywood and was moving to Washington to serve as the Senate Chaplain. He is a noted preacher and speaker and he honored his commitment to speak at our church. One of the stories he told was about an airplane ride.
He was sitting in the terminal waiting to board the plane and he saw a seven year old boy waiting to board the flight. Before any of the other passengers were allowed to board, one of the stewardesses took the boy by the hand and walked with him down the ramp. Ogilvie was delighted when he arrived in the plane to find the boy seated right next to him. The boy was already engaged in coloring by the time he sat down but the boy was very polite when they spoke. After a short time, the airplane took off and the child was as calm as could be. Suddenly, the airplane entered a turbulent storm and began to pitch and rock about like a kite in the wind. Many of the passengers became alarmed and one woman across the aisle from Dr. Ogilvie and the boy looked near panic. She burst out to the child, “Little boy, aren’t you scared?” To which the boy replied, “No, ma’am!” He then looked up from his coloring book and said, “My dad’s the pilot.”
There are times in life when we feel that we are in the midst of the storm. We face difficult decisions, difficult circumstances, or difficult issues. Sometimes we may feel like the proverbial “kite in the wind.” It doesn’t take long to find out that life is not always a trip through the friendly skies. Sure footing can be hard to find! But for all of us, there is hope!Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.” Do we really trust God? We want to be more like the little boy who has total and complete confidence in the pilot, and there are many times when we do, but there are other times when we are frantic and worried like the woman across the aisle. The future can be scary when we trust ourselves to find safe passage. Stop trusting in yourself! Today, ask God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life in the good and the bad times. Without a doubt, uncertain times are ahead for all of us. When those times occur, just repeat after me (with confidence)… “my Father is the pilot!… my Father is the pilot!” God is in charge and God loves you and wants the very best for your life.

Claiming Jesus Means More Than Words

Over the years I have known many people who worked in the criminal justice system. In one particular church, one of my members was a county Sheriff while at another church a member worked in the area prison as a guard. The prison guard once said to me, “Did you know that we have an inmate in our jail who knows you?” Looking puzzled I said, “Really… Who?” He smiled with a big grin and said, “Jesus! It seems that he lives down at the prison because almost every inmate who comes through there says he has gotten to know Jesus.” Then he burst into laughter.
Yes, it seems often the case that when people find themselves in trouble and the truth of their actions come to light, it is God that they seek. I guess it is human nature to seek redemption and forgiveness for the things that we have done wrong. This week we have two individuals who have expressed their faith in God as they have faced public humiliation and legal turmoil. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and Idaho Senator Larry Craig have been the focus of the media spotlight. Both have expressed their wrongdoing and both have begun the campaign to limit the damage done to their reputations. Vick has pled to a felony while Craig pled to a misdemeanor, but both have major problems. Vick faces jail time and has already been banished from the NFL, while Craig is being pressured to resign from his elected position.
Fox news correspondent Mike Straka wrote about Vicks sudden turn to Jesus. Vick said, “Dogfighting is a terrible thing and I reject it ... I found Jesus and turned my life over to God. I think that's the right thing to do as of right now.” Straka states “Gee, that didn't take long. I didn't think the curtain on the "finding Jesus" act would rise until after Vick went to jail, but alas, it came on the same day he made his plea deal official. It took Paris Hilton a few hours in the slammer before she met Jesus, and Vick does it even before lockup. Who knew?”
The problem I have is that some folks just toss the name of God (i.e. Jesus) out into the conversation to exhibit some sort of change, remorse, humility, or whatever wants only to play on many people’s sympathy. As a pastor, I hope that anyone who would make a claim of getting to know Jesus is sincere and honest. Yet, too often I see people wearing crosses around their necks and go about life with no reference to actually knowing Jesus. Years ago pop star Madonna was always flaunting crosses and yet Christianity seemed nowhere near her agenda. All this may sound judgmental, but in a recent study of Exodus 20, my class discussed the Ten Commandments and we talked about “Do not take the Lord thy God’s name in vain.” I believe that claiming Jesus’ name is serious business and has ramifications. It should not be done lightly or casually, but with reverence and honesty. Not simply as a tool to evoke sympathy and control the spin of a story. Does God want to really be a part of Michael Vick’s and Larry Craig’s life… and Paris Hilton’s, and Madonna’s,…and your life and mine? Absolutely! Jesus calls us to follow Him. That is a journey and a walk that means daily discipleship. Life is not always perfect and I know that some come to Him through tumultuous events, but may we turn to God in all circumstances, good and bad, with open hearts.

The Wealthiest People in America… Are You On The List?

What does less than 1 billion dollars get you today? I learned that if you have less than a billion, you would find yourself outside looking in on Forbes magazine’s 400 richest people in America. Yes, it’s true. You just don’t measure up if you can’t muster more than a billion. This year the people who made the rankings are worth $1.54 trillion, compared with $1.25 trillion last year. According to cable television mogul Ted Turner, “There is a pride about being on the list. People that are on it look to see where they are and if they have moved up from last year.” Who’s on top you might ask? The top two richest continue to be Microsoft’s Bill Gates (59 billion) and Berkshire-Hathaway’s Warren Buffett (52 billion).
Did you check to see if your name appeared on the list? Probably not! Actually, I only read about the list at an online news service. I could care less who made the list of the richest people in America. The question would be how is that helping them with their faith? The Bible says in Matthew 9:23, “it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.” So, how is all that money going to help them in the long run? Most live extravagant lives, but others are helping charity. A month or so back I saw a special on ABC News with John Stossel. Who gives the greatest percentage of their wealth to charity? The working class people actually give more of what they make. That may be a surprise, but even though both Gates and Buffett gives millions of dollars in philanthropic efforts, their percentage is actually less than many of you who give to United Way at work and your church on Sunday’s.
Now you know what it means to be wealthy, but do you know what it means to be rich? Being rich isn’t about one thin dime. Being rich is about living a life of joy… no matter what your circumstances. It is full of good works and a thankful heart. Being rich means having many friends. Being rich means living a life that has perspective on God and other people. The following story helps to illustrate my point.
One day ... a wealthy family man took his son on a trip to the country, so he could have his son see how poor country people live. They stayed one day and one night in the home of a very humble farmer. At the end of the trip, and when they were back home, the father asked his son, “What did you think of the trip?" The son replied, “Very nice dad.” Then the father asked his son, “Did you notice how poor they were?” The son replied, “Yes.” The father continued asking, “What did you learn?” The son responded, "I learned that we have one dog in our house, and they have four. Also, we have a fountain in our garden, but they have a stream that has no end. And we have imported lamps in our garden ... where they have the stars! And our garden goes to the edge of our property. But they have the entire horizon as their back yard! At the end of the son's reply the father was speechless. His son then said, “Thank you dad for showing me how poor we really are.”
You see you are rich if you have Jesus Christ in you life and call Him “Lord.” For your life is a testament to the love of Jesus and as Matthew 6 says, “your treasure will be in heaven.” That’s the only list of wealth any of us need to worry about having our name on!