I invite you in the name of the church to the observance of a holy Lent:
- by self-examination and repentance;
- by prayer, fasting, and alms-giving;
- and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word
– From the ACNA Book of Common Prayer
The closest word to “alms-giving” we use now is probably “charity”: Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, such as money, food, or clothing,
In Biblical times a main way to do this was to not collect all the grain from your field (or leave some grapes on the vine, or olives on the tree, etc), so that the poor could come in and find what they couldn’t afford.
1 Timothy 6:6–12, 17-19 (NIV84) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Pursuing money as if it’s THE answer &/or prioritizing money as most important is the problem.
Matthew 19:21–23 (NLT) Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 6:24 (MSG) “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.”
Why do we worry? Why do YOU worry?
But Jesus says, “don’t worry.
Luke 12:22–34 (NIV84) Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”
24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
This doesn’t mean “get born again and you won’t worry”.
Evidently we have the ability as members of the Kingdom of God to choose not to worry.
- Because this is a command.
- The Kingdom of God is whenever and wherever God is in charge, whenever and wherever he rules and reigns.
So, instead, we choose to set our focus on:
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven mean the same thing.
- So the primary thrust of this is we should find our treasure in God himself rather than in having stuff
Psalm 119:72 (NLT2) Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.
Compare with Psalm 119:72 (NIV) & Psalm 119:72 (MSG)
31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Here’s how Paul applied that to Timothy in today’s reading:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
The first step towards alms-giving is to make a decision to put money in its place.
- “Flee from” letting money control you
- Instead, set your focus on
Today – decide to start trusting him. Will you choose that, right now? (Yes/No)
“Starter” ideas for alms-giving this week:
- Make a sandwich for a homeless person
- Invite a friend or neighbor over for lunch or a snack, and pray with them while they’re there
- Cut a neighbor’s yard because their mower broke and they can’t get it fixed
- What other creative way can you actually help someone in need?
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