Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
September 30, 2007
TEXT: Amos 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 6:6-16; Luke 16:19-31
ADon’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
All of today’s lessons in some way focus on wealth, but today’s lesson is not condemning the wealthy. Rather it is a lesson on our attitude about wealth, and what it can do to harm our spiritual relationship with our Lord, if we aren’t careful.
After the death of Solomon his kingdom was divided between his two sons. Jeroboam, in the North and Rehoboam in the South.
In the first lesson two groups of people are being warned or addressed.
The first group addressed are those in Zion. Those living in what was called the Northern Kingdom with its capital at Samaria. The other group being warned are those living in the Southern Kingdom with its capital at Jerusalem.
To the first group Amos says, AWoe to you who are (at ease) or complacent in Zion? Those who were wealthy and lived in luxury. And because of it they had become complacent. Complacent about God and the need for Him. Complacent about the lack of morality in their own lives and in that of society. Because of God’s great acts of deliverance in their past history, many took it for granted that no harm could ever befall the chosen nation.
This first group was also complacent about the needs of others, who were less fortunate then they were. These individual didn’t care about who was doing what to whom, as long as it wasn’t happening to them. That’s complacency!
I’ve heard it said that a person can be mucked or robed in broad day light in New York City and people will walk on by. The reason given is: AWe don’t want to get involved. That is complacency!
The Next Group of people being talked about were those from the Southern Kingdom and they were charged with feeling secure. Perhaps their location being behind fortafiable walls in Jerusalem made them feel safe. Perhaps their wealth too gave them a feeling or sense of security.
Many people in our world today find NO Need for God because they think they have security in their investments and their amassed fortunes. Security and Complacency often times go hand in hand with wealth. The wealthy feel secure by what they have amassed. Their shrewd and wise business sense has provided for all their security. They too can become complacent about caring for others. They can become complacent about morality. They can become disinterested in anything that doesn’t direct affect them.
By today’s standards We all are rich! Compared to the rest of the world, we have it so good!
The danger today is that we do not see ourselves as wealthy because we compare ourselves to someone who has it better than us. (PAUSE)
The complacent are often times those who don’t care until its too late, and that is the reoccurring theme in all three lessons:
Don’t Wait Until It’s too Late!
Make the decision to act Today and Not Tomorrow!
Amos lists all the things that presently keep them from acting.
AYou lie on beds inlaid with ivory and you lounge on your couches.
Today’s translation might read like this: AYou set in your reclining chair with your remote control and your plasma tv. Now, granted there is nothing wrong in owning a plasma t.v. or even beds inlaid with ivory, or reclining chairs with remote controls.
BUT, IF it affects your complacence about God and Godly living it’s a problem! And does it for many? The answer is YES!
IF it affects your understanding about putting God first it’s a problem!
And does it for many? Again, The answer is Yes it does!!
When Amos says, Abut you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph, he is talking about religion. He is talking about an attitude that had destroyed the people’s faith. These things, and their preoccupation with them had blinded them to their condition. Amos says,
AYou are NOT concerned about spiritual things!
Amos not only makes a prediction but he makes a promise.
ATherefore YOU will be among the first to go into exile.
And they were historically. This happened in 721 B.C. under the command of Teglapilazer. The Assyrians army was well known and feared for their brutality. There are even archeological reliefs depicting the conquering of the Northen Kingdom.
The Southern Kingdom also fell in 586 B.C. to the Babylonians. The rich and wealth were carried off to Babylon. The poor, very poor, were left behind to starve.
Of course, like any other time in History there were God’s faithful people, who were not spared from suffering.
But, we must remember, as then, even so now. God does and will continue to be with us and give strength to His People in the midst of our suffering. Christians are not immuned from suffering because we are a part of this fallen sinful world. The whole idea that when a person becomes a Christian that their business becomes profitable, or their marriage is perfect, is just not true!
One of those who ended up in Babylon was Daniel. Another is the prophet Ezekiel. God sustained them in the midst of everything didn’t He?
What about our own Nation and its destiny?
Who can say. Will our Nation, like the Fall of the Roman Empire, come from within and not from foreign aggressors? Some already think that is happening, as we look around and see the deterioration of the family and the values that are associated with God’s Word, The Bible. (PAUSE)
But What About You?
You are here! You do have a desire to follow God’s Word. You do see the importance as a parent to set the example for your children in terms of Godliness and to follow Christ.
But it is also true that whenever we say, AIt will never happen to me, that we are the most venerable!
Therefore this Word of God IS for us too, who are gathered here in God’s House. It is for us, who eagerly desire to lead a Godly life, but also realize that we too can be affected by the many things that would drawn us away from Christ and following Him first. I’ve seen it happen and so have you. People who used to go to church that say, AWe just got out of the habit. These people are NOT bad people, no worse than you or me. But could they loose their faith? Are they more susceptible to losing their faith because they are not in the Word?
Paul says, AYes!
Jesus in today’s Gospel lesson says, AYes!
Therefore, we must be pro-active, you and me.
And so, Paul reminds us as Christians NOT to get or be so caught up in materialism that can destroys us! Paul says,
ASome, (not everyone,) eager for money have wandered from the faith AND pierced themselves.
NO one did it to them. NO one kicked them out of church. Nor does it say that the church members are at fault for not reaching out to them. The text says, AThey pierced themselves.
There has to be some accountability with each of us! You have to take ownership and responsibility for your own actions. True, it is sad and unfortunate when parents don’t set the example of godliness for their children, but it still falls to the individual. I can’t go around blaming my parents, the schools, the coach, society, the government, or even the church for my bad behavior. It just doesn’t work that way. Nor is it healthy. Nor is it Biblical!
Paul says,
ABut YOU, man of God, flee from all this, and (then he give us an alternative) and purse righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
God never coerces anyone to become a Christian! God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth, but He does not force. (PAUSE)
Finally, the words of Jesus.
Jesus continues with this same theme: ADon’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
The story Jesus tells is a familiar one to all of us. It is The Story of The Rich Man and Lazarus. We are given the details, as to the attitude and the lives of both men. We are then given the out come to their lives for a purpose.
So that You or I don’t end up making the same mistake after it’s too late!
What a relevant text for our materialistic society today that has everything. It is said that many people in our country are in big credit card debt up to their eye balls, and many are living outside their means.
Paul says that we are to be content with food, clothing, and a roof over our head.
God never promised us a certain standard of living.
But He does promise never to foresake you. He does promise you that you are His! And when you continue to follow Him He says,
ANo one will pluck you out of His hand.
Oh, yea, I almost forgot. God has promised to forgive all your sins by Christ’s death on the cross. And, oh, did I mention too that He has promised to give you eternal life, and raise your body from the dead. How could I forget that?
So what is the conclusion to all of this? Amos, Paul, and now Jesus?
They all would remind us that our goal is heaven, even though we sometimes act and make plans like we intend to spend eternity here. (PAUSE)
From a secular stand point investors remind us when the market goes up and down that we are in it for the long haul. God would remind us that we too are in it for the Aeternal haul.
May we as God’s People heed the warnings of all three of today’s lessons, and realize that when you have Jesus, you’re rich beyond your wildest imagination for Jesus tells us:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt. 6:19-21).
AMEN.