By the Rev . Robert Blezard
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for Proper 23, Year B
October 13, 2024
Key verse: Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God.” -Mark 10:23
The pastor of the financially challenged church recoiled at my suggestion he talk more about money in his sermons. “I’m not comfortable asking for money from the pulpit,” he said, putting his hands up defensively.
I get it. Money’s a touchy subject for a lot of congregants – and for pastors, whose salaries generally are the largest single item in the budget. While sympathizing with his plight, I clarified:
“You don’t have to ask for money from the pulpit,” I counseled, “But you can talk about money, reflect on money, and certainly teach what the Bible says about money.” After all, there are literally hundreds of Scripture verses about wealth.
In fact, this week’s Gospel lesson is the perfect launching pad for a sermon about money. In it, Jesus encounters a rich man suffering from the spiritual poverty that earthly wealth often causes. The malady existed 2,000 years ago, and it’s certainly epidemic in our culture. In a teaching sermon about the dangers of wealth, here are some good points to raise:
-Answering his question about what he must “do to inherit eternal life,” Jesus gives him the standard Jewish answer of his day: Obey the commandments. In the man’s self-knowledge, he has always obeyed them. This raises the question: Why, then, was he spiritually discontented to the point where he needed to seek out Jesus for advice? Obviously, strict religious observance could not quell his notion there was something spiritually amiss.
-The man lacks “one thing” – to sell what he owns and give the money to the poor. What is the spiritual malady for which the Rx is to sell what you have and give to the poor? Obviously, money is getting in the way of his spiritual development.
-Why does the man have to give the money to the poor? Well, first, it’s a matter of honoring our poorer neighbors rather than simply pampering himself with a lavish lifestyle. Second, it’s a way to establish a relationship with those on the margins.
-What does it mean to have “treasure in heaven,” as opposed to “treasure on earth” (v. 21)? This is a toughie, but by raising the question, we can all prayerfully ponder that in our heart and know the truth.
-The man walks away shocked and grieving because he has many possessions. Why? Was he shocked and grieving because he has no intention of giving them up, or because he knows he would have to?
-In three verses (23-25), Jesus says three times how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God. Why is it hard? What is the problem with wealth?
The pericope underscores a teaching throughout the Bible about the power of money. Wealth can blind us, corrupt our souls and keep us from knowing – to say nothing of loving – our neighbors on the margins.
Some years ago, Public Broadcasting Service aired a program called “Affluenza” that detailed a syndrome where some people with wealth experience ennui, dissatisfaction, anxiety, guilt and other negative emotions. The term has certainly caught on. The rich man in the pericope certainly suffers from a spiritual strain of Affluenza.
As one of the wealthiest nations that ever existed, the United States has millions of men and women who suffer from spiritual Affluenza, and some certainly sit in the pews of your church. The challenge is to preach on the text so that congregants are nudged to review their relationship with money. Does wealth blind them and hinder their spiritual growth? Do they have treasure in heaven? What is the “one thing” that they lack to follow Jesus?
Having thus convicted them with the “law,” you can “Gospel” them with the comforting words Jesus had to say about salvation of the wealthy: “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible” (v. 27).
And that would make for a great sermon teaching about money without asking for any.
In worship
In most congregations, the offering is taken after the sermon. Before passing the plates, take a moment, as pastor or worship assistant, to challenge congregants to think about their relationship with money. To what degree is it a spiritual impediment. Ask them to prayerfully think of the “one thing” they might have to do to follow Jesus more fully.
With youth
In some high schools, kids who wear “Walmart clothes” are picked on by the youth whose parents can shop in pricier stores. It exemplifies the degree to which youth are not only aware of disparities of family wealth, but also how such disparities can fuel feelings of superiority and prejudice among youth from wealthier families towards those who are poorer.
Using the “Walmart clothes” story as a jumping-off point, invite youth to share stories of how wealth and class distinction are present in their schools. When does it arise? How? Can they share instances when they have witnessed a poorer youth being teased because of class or wealth issues? Ask them to discuss whether teasing someone because of their family’s social status is in keeping with the Gospel mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves. How might they best handle situations they observe when they see a poorer youth being teased. What’s a loving response?
Review with them Mark’s story of the rich man and ask them how that applies to what they’ve observed. What’s the “one thing” that is missing from those who tease poorer students?
With children
The rich man’s problem was his inability to relate to people who had less than him and to love them enough to share his wealth. To illustrate this point, buy enough candies, such as individually wrapped peppermints, to give half of the children in your Sunday school or children’s sermon four, and the other half just two candies.
In discussion, talk about the difference in candy “wealth,” and ask if it’s fair. Mention that there are enough candies for everyone to have three. Invite those with four to give one of their candies to a child who has just two. Mention that God wants those who have more can share with those who have less. End with a “repeat-after-me” prayer.
Previous reflections for Proper 23B:
2018 – The one thing
2015 – Who can be saved?
2012 – What do you lack?
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