By the Rev. Robert Blezard
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for Proper 8, Year B
June 30, 2024
Key verse: As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” -2 Corinthians 8:15
A guiding principle of congregational stewardship holds that preaching on money should happen all year long, not just during the fall “stewardship season.” This week’s epistle lesson offers a perfect opportunity to talk about finances.
Another guiding principle can help you craft your message. It says that you should preach as often as you can about money without asking for it. That’s because most of the time when preachers talk about money, it’s an occasion when they want folks to get out their wallets and checkbooks. As a result, “money” talk is stigmatized as code for “give us more.”
With those things in mind, Paul’s advice to the Corinthians provides a perfect springboard to talk about economics and finances.
In Paul’s context, he is asking the Corinthians to help the poorer congregations in Jerusalem. Paul bases his argument on several bedrock principles of biblical stewardship that could be lifted up to remind congregants of ancient teachings.
The first is that God is the owner and source of everything. Paul says as much when he masterfully cites Exodus 16:18 in verse 15 (quoted above). The passage in Exodus occurs when God’s people are in the desert and God provides manna for them to eat every day (daily bread). God’s people are reliant upon the hand of God for every good thing. In lifting up Exodus 16:18, Paul affirms that God is the sole source all we possess.
And the passage also gives a clear teaching about God’s intention for the blessings God rains down from heaven. Whether people are rich or poor, God intends that everyone is entitled to have enough. The question is how this can occur.
As it applies to the Corinthian churches, Paul invokes Exodus 16:18 to stir them to generosity. God has given gifts in abundance, and those who have more than enough are expected to share with those who do not have enough, so that all may enjoy sufficiency.
The teaching speaks volumes to those of us in North America, and especially to congregations and congregants who are at least financially stable. Despite a growing economy, the “wealth gap” continues to widen between the riches and the poorest among us. And inflation, especially in the housing market, disproportionally harms the poorest among us.
While mentioning these concerns, a wise preacher would be careful in talking about how public policy has contributed to the growing wealth gap. Our main concern is to lift up the Bible’s view of wealth and the obligation for those who have more than enough to share with those who have less – Paul’s very point in the 2 Corinthians lesson.
Although this preacher generally avoids bringing into a sermon Bible passages that RCL has not assigned for the day, a sermon might refer to Jesus’ familiar command for us to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:31), or the well-known teaching of Matthew 28:31-46 about caring for the least among us.
And just as Paul used this teaching to ask for donations to help the churches in Jerusalem, a preacher could lift up several ministries in the congregation, community or world where donations would help ensure that “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”
In worship
Invite a representative of a ministry serving the marginalized in your ministry to talk about their work and the clients they serve. The talk could be during service – during announcements, an “offering moment” or before or after worship – or outside of service at a temple talk, forum or pane. The point would be to help congregants understand not only the needs faced by their neighbors but also how they could help through their financial contributions.
With children
It’s a tried-and-true exercise, but it works every time. In a gathering of children, perhaps Sunday school or a children’s sermon, bring treats (such as pieces of candy, fruit, toys, etc.) enough for all to have one. Then give multiple treats to some and none to others. Ask if this is fair. (It’s not.) Why? (Some have many and others have none.) What does God ask us to do? (Share.) It’s a simple but effective.
With youth
The exercise for children would work for youth, too. But the older youth would also be able to discuss where they have seen people in need. Are their some students in their schools who have much less than others? How is that evidenced? Similarly, are there students who have much more than others? How is that evidenced? What are the consequences of some having a lot and others having little as it appears in school? In homes? In social life? Using the 2 Corinthians lesson, explore what is a Christian response to inequality of material wealth.
Previous reflections for Proper 8, Year B:
2021 – The giving community
2018 – A perfect portion
2015 – Touching the hem of God’s garment
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