This week’s scripture texts really represent a tee-shot for stewardship season, the text from Mark especially – the story of the Rich Young Ruler, who is asked by Jesus to give it all away.
Most out there will of course know that we usually equate stewardship with that time of year when we talk about money, the church budget, YOUR gift. And of course, good church leaders are quick to point out that stewardship is about so much more: it’s really a lifestyle, an attitude, a spiritual practice. We don’t just want your money (the community does indeed need it); but rather, we want (0r more aptly, Jesus wants) your life.
Stewardship is not fundamentally about money. It’s about life. And what else is life, if not time – that requisite commodity we convert to money, with which to provide for our life, our family; to spread our influence, to supplement our enjoyment of life. All our wealth really originates – whether it’s been earned or inherited – from time.
This Sunday’s sermon – knowing the two after that will focus on money (Dr. Dana Fearon and Dr. Dennis Olson will preach October 18 and 25) – is about time. Perhaps the most precious commodity in our modern era.
Here’s the question that is rattling around in my mind – much of which is the result of an extensive conversation at our last Staff Meeting: what is spiritual life worth? What is it worth in light of soccer, and baseball, and ballet, and the drama club and scouts?
Is church just another activity we do for enrichment and benefit, another commodity that aims to please the customer? In that light, it’s so tempting to see it as just one more competing activity to fit in, one that can further drain the juice out of individuals and families, one that caves into the tempter’s voice cooing in the modern ear, the more you do, the better you’ll be….
When does all the activity end, and we say to ourselves: what’s the point of it all?
Can our use of time be about acquisition too, in the same way we use our money? Acquisition of skills, bullet points on a college app, keeping up with the Joneses?
When I was a kid – we had no activities after school. The main activity seemed to be marauding around the neighborhood, hanging out, creating real friendships that came naturally. Church was a cornerstone to that culture – a part of our lives that enabled us to make sense of the rest of it. Not that all was great with that culture – but there was…space. And there was an attempt to hold it all together via symbols that imparted value and meaning to the rest of it. I’m not saying this is not the case now (I sure hope not!) But I feel the subtle corrosion of those values. Church can seem no longer the foundation; it’s an add-on.
So – the question for Sunday that I’m curious about: what does Jesus words from Mark teach us about that? What if we substituted “time” in place of money in this story? (“And he went away sad, for he had many activities.”)? For this rich young ruler, his money is getting in the way of his spiritual life. For us, could it also be our use of time?
Are there folks out there yearning for a simpler life? One more connected to the fundamental purposes for which we’ve been created? One more connected to community life, self-giving and self-sustaining activities? How do we approach that? And perhaps there are some out there who are already there. How did you do it?
For more study options, see the following study materials on Hebrews (another text I may bring in) or on Mark.
Love to hear your thoughts. And see you Sunday.
