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The
Pastor's Ponderings

In
an election year there is lots of discussion/debate about "the
issues." What issues are foremost in the minds of Americans?
Is there a particular issue that tops the list? There is much to
choose from. The Iraq War is in its fifth year with no end in sight.
Weren't we told weeks after it began that the mission was accomplished?
Mortgage foreclosures are escalating at a record pace. The stock
market is taking a licking. Gas cost $3.65 a gallon, just a little
higher than a gallon of milk. Food costs throughout the world have
tripled since last year. Close to home, companies are laying off
workers due to the economic slump. Some forecasters say we have
not seen anything yet. For the first time in a long time our country
is facing hardships that the rest of the world has dealt with for
years.
It
reminds me of Pentecost. Yes, you read it correctly. On the day
of Pentecost the church was born. The Advocate that Jesus promised
the disciples came rushing upon them like a hurricane. They spoke
other languages. Their weak knees became strong. Their timid speech
turned into courageous proclamation. They worshipped God with glad
and generous hearts. They pooled their possessions so that none
would have too little, nor would anyone have too much. As Acts tells
us, "The Lord added daily to their number those who were being
saved." So what does economics have to do with it? Listen to
these words from Lutheran seminary professor, Barbara Lunblad:
"Pentecost
often ends too soon. The first part of the story is thrilling. The
sound of a mighty wind. The tongues of fire. People from all over
the Roman Empire hearing their own languages spoken by ordinary
Galileans. The promise of the Spirit poured out on young and old,
including slaves, both women and men. Pentecost means all of that.
As the story goes on, Peter stands up to preach, and he preaches
such a powerful sermon that over 3,000 people are baptized. Pentecost
means all of that too. But Pentecost ends too soon if it has nothing
to do with possessions, with wealth and poverty, with what we call
economics. Economics is from the Greek word oikos, which means household.
How do we live together in God's household? Well, I know economics
is a subject so complicated that our eyes glaze over at the mention
of the word. But God is very interested in economics, about what
we do with our possessions and portfolios.
A Pentecost
church will reach out to people of every language and tongue. A
Pentecost church will call young and old, women and men to prophesy.
A Pentecost church will preach and baptize, but the story always
ends too soon if a Pentecost church isn't concerned about economics."
Whether or not
we are in a recession, and whether it will be short or long is beside
the point. Jesus addressed the issue of money more than any other.
Money gives Jesus some of his stiffest opposition. Lives that come
under the influence of Jesus Christ become generous lives. Churches
that are open to the winds of the Holy Spirit are generous churches,
regardless if economic times are good or hard.
In Christ love,
Pastor David
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