AMOS 8 : 4 - 7
LUKE 16 : 1 - 16
Did you hear the story about the teapot that went missing from the church kitchen? The question on everyone’s lips was: “Who took it?” Some suggested it must be the youth – because they take everything and never put it back; some suggested outside organizations using the building – which is why it should only be used for church business. And then the most foul suggestion was made: maybe the minister took it home! This discussion dominated church meeting and all gatherings!
Eventually some person took it upon themselves to do what they thought best – they bought a new teapot and placed it in the kitchen. The most interesting part was that this did not stop the discussions as to who the guilty party might be!
IN the end we all like to blame others. Because they moment we are able to find the guilty party it gives us a certain power over them. We can control their lives a little.
I think that they we handle money reflects a little of the shadows in our own lives. We use money and possessions to give us power and control. I see it particularly with parents and their children. My son has recently passed his drivers licence and has taken ownership of my car. After a number of trips all over his mother and I decided to discuss with him the fact that the car uses petrol and someone must take responsibility for that cost. He agreed with us – it is our responsibility. Something within me wanted to shout out – “Well then you can’t use my car!” What was that “something”? A need to control and exert undue power and influence because I held the purse strings? Well today’s readings draw us into this same age-old conflict.
Luke draws together a number of the parables of Jesus in a continuous flow in his gospel to show the effects of power and control and of the divine nature of God.
This parable is not an easy one but has some lessons for us that help us to examine our relationships, with God, ourselves and each other.
Firstly,
1. GIVING MONEY OR POSSESSIONS TO SOMEONE DOES NOT GIVE US A RIGHT TO CONTROL OF THEIR LIFE
The shrewd manager in this story is very clever.
He has the intelligence to know that the owner cannot complain because if it becomes public as to the exorbitant way that he charges people he will look a fool.
The customers cannot complain because they have had the financial debts reduced.
- But now they all owe the manager a debt – he has control of their lives because he has managed their finances.
Are we aware of the deep forces within us that need to and desire to control other people’s lives?
2. THE PARABLE REVEALS THE NATURE OF GOD AND HIS GRACE
Jesus has compared the Father and the reign of God’s love to
a. A shepherd
b. A widow
c. A loving Father who foolishly gives away half of his possessions and then welcomes
home the son who lost it
d. Now – the absentee landlord who distorts and changes debts.
What does it reveal of God’s nature? It reveals that:
1. Jesus really understood the complexities of his culture and of human nature.
2. God does not seem to mind what it costs Him as long as Jesus makes friends for Him.
3. That Jesus will do anything to extend grace that might bring everyone into the reign of God’s love.
3. WE ARE TO EXAMINE OUR OWN LIVES AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT PREVENTS US FROM BEING INSTRUMENTS OF GOD’S GRACE
What is it within me that prevents me from acting in a manner that sets people free? Why is it that I feel a need to choose to put people into groups and decide if they can be a part of God’s grace.
How can I be different?
1. By giving up the need to decide for God who can be a part of His kingdom;
2. By giving up the need to control others
3. By giving up the need to control God in my life.
4. By enjoying and living by the grace that sets me free.
Who are these others? Who are the marginalized? And how can I make them feel a part of this glorious family of God?
They are those who have been rejected.
In the time of Jesus they were the women, the prostitutes, the lepers, the children.
Today they are people of different races – particularly from other African countries, they are the Gay and Lesbian people in our midst, they are those who live with HIV and AIDS.
Let us make a difference by examining our own prejudices so that we can free ourselves of the need to control and rather be instruments of grace.
AMEN.
Did you hear the story about the teapot that went missing from the church kitchen? The question on everyone’s lips was: “Who took it?” Some suggested it must be the youth – because they take everything and never put it back; some suggested outside organizations using the building – which is why it should only be used for church business. And then the most foul suggestion was made: maybe the minister took it home! This discussion dominated church meeting and all gatherings!
Eventually some person took it upon themselves to do what they thought best – they bought a new teapot and placed it in the kitchen. The most interesting part was that this did not stop the discussions as to who the guilty party might be!
IN the end we all like to blame others. Because they moment we are able to find the guilty party it gives us a certain power over them. We can control their lives a little.
I think that they we handle money reflects a little of the shadows in our own lives. We use money and possessions to give us power and control. I see it particularly with parents and their children. My son has recently passed his drivers licence and has taken ownership of my car. After a number of trips all over his mother and I decided to discuss with him the fact that the car uses petrol and someone must take responsibility for that cost. He agreed with us – it is our responsibility. Something within me wanted to shout out – “Well then you can’t use my car!” What was that “something”? A need to control and exert undue power and influence because I held the purse strings? Well today’s readings draw us into this same age-old conflict.
Luke draws together a number of the parables of Jesus in a continuous flow in his gospel to show the effects of power and control and of the divine nature of God.
This parable is not an easy one but has some lessons for us that help us to examine our relationships, with God, ourselves and each other.
Firstly,
1. GIVING MONEY OR POSSESSIONS TO SOMEONE DOES NOT GIVE US A RIGHT TO CONTROL OF THEIR LIFE
The shrewd manager in this story is very clever.
He has the intelligence to know that the owner cannot complain because if it becomes public as to the exorbitant way that he charges people he will look a fool.
The customers cannot complain because they have had the financial debts reduced.
- But now they all owe the manager a debt – he has control of their lives because he has managed their finances.
Are we aware of the deep forces within us that need to and desire to control other people’s lives?
2. THE PARABLE REVEALS THE NATURE OF GOD AND HIS GRACE
Jesus has compared the Father and the reign of God’s love to
a. A shepherd
b. A widow
c. A loving Father who foolishly gives away half of his possessions and then welcomes
home the son who lost it
d. Now – the absentee landlord who distorts and changes debts.
What does it reveal of God’s nature? It reveals that:
1. Jesus really understood the complexities of his culture and of human nature.
2. God does not seem to mind what it costs Him as long as Jesus makes friends for Him.
3. That Jesus will do anything to extend grace that might bring everyone into the reign of God’s love.
3. WE ARE TO EXAMINE OUR OWN LIVES AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT PREVENTS US FROM BEING INSTRUMENTS OF GOD’S GRACE
What is it within me that prevents me from acting in a manner that sets people free? Why is it that I feel a need to choose to put people into groups and decide if they can be a part of God’s grace.
How can I be different?
1. By giving up the need to decide for God who can be a part of His kingdom;
2. By giving up the need to control others
3. By giving up the need to control God in my life.
4. By enjoying and living by the grace that sets me free.
Who are these others? Who are the marginalized? And how can I make them feel a part of this glorious family of God?
They are those who have been rejected.
In the time of Jesus they were the women, the prostitutes, the lepers, the children.
Today they are people of different races – particularly from other African countries, they are the Gay and Lesbian people in our midst, they are those who live with HIV and AIDS.
Let us make a difference by examining our own prejudices so that we can free ourselves of the need to control and rather be instruments of grace.
AMEN.
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