It's the LOVE of money that blinds us
St. Mary Nanoose Bay
September 29, 2019 Sermon
Luke 16:19-31
This morning we heard the words from the 1st letter of Timothy – “for the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil (6:10).” I don’t know about you, but when I grew up, the version I always heard was, “money is the root of all evil,” and it made me confused because as a young person gaining my independence, I could see very clearly how money was going to get me out of the family home and into my own life. And that seemed like a very good thing to me…. and probably to my parents as well!
So it’s important to hear the words…. For it is “the Love of money” that is at the root of all sorts of problems. And I don’t think anyone would argue with that?
On CBC recently, I heard an expert on spies referring to the reasons people commit treason is captured in the acronym “MICE” – money, ideology, compromise and ego. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that money comes first.
What is money? It no longer is something real. Our paper bills have no real value on their own. Neither do our coins; which is why the penny and soon the nickel are being phased out. The money in the world is mostly an agreement. It doesn’t actually exist, less than 10% of it is backed by any real currency.
But money is real as a tool. It is something we can exchange and do wonderful things with. But we can also hoard it, hang on to it. And when we keep it hidden and out of circulation, it becomes something other than it was meant for. The withholding of the exchange of money creates suffering. It doesn’t do what it was meant to do.
We see this in the gospel story from Luke today. “There was a rich man, it begins.” Haven’t we heard that opening line before?! This rich man has more than enough money. He feasts sumptuously every day. He uses his money to go beyond satisfying his own needs. He lives in excess. Even when there is a man lying at his front gate that he has to step over or around every time he leaves his home. He never even considers giving this man the scraps from his table. This poor man is named Lazarus (but don’t confuse him with the other Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead; the brother of Mary and Martha).
And then the time comes when the both the rich man and the poor man die.
In Hades or hell, the rich man can see Lazarus, who is in Heaven, or “with Abraham” - God’s friend and the father of Israel.
The divide between the two realms is great, but somehow in this other world it is possible to see across the chasm. Lazarus calls to Abraham – “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony” (16:24). Listen to him – even in his desperation, the rich man is unable to see the situation clearly. His obsession with money has made him blind. He thinks he and Abraham are somehow of equal status. And he still sees Lazarus as less than, someone who should be serving him. Not only that, he thinks he can negotiate in this situation. He wants Lazarus to go and warn his brothers about what lies ahead if they continue in their opulent lifestyle. Sounds noble, but is it?
Abraham refuses. He understands human nature. He understands the power that love of money has over people. He says, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” In other words, people who benefit from being deaf do not want to hear the truth.
And the truth is, that love of money keeps people from seeing and hearing – the needs of others, the suffering of others. How we are all connected, the body of Christ. Money, used wisely, has the ability to alleviate suffering. It is a tool. Yet, for some it becomes an obsession and a possession to be used for selfish purposes only. In Jesus’ day, in the eyes of the Jewish people, lovers of money were considered to have a comprised character. And all through the gospels, Jesus challenges those who listen to and follow him to get their priorities straight – and live by the commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…. and love your neighbour as yourself.” And in the excerpt from Paul’s letter to Timothy that we heard just now, we are reminded – “For we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it.”
Today we are further down the road of illusion. How do we think of people who have a lot of money? We idolize them, we are fascinated by them, we admire them. We give them free press. We think our own lives would be better if we had money like they do. Yet as Christians, we are called to a different pursuit. We encouraged, as Paul reminds us, to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. And to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. For this is the way we “may take hold of the life that really is life”(6:19).
In the book, “Your Money or Your Life,” the authors talk about that sweet point where you have enough money so that you are not stressed all the time, and not too much, so that you appreciate and take care of what you are able to afford to buy and are willing to part with what you don’t need. My parents-in-law had a good income but never had savings. At the end of each month, they gave away whatever they didn’t spend. I can see my mother-in-law as I tell you this, sitting with her coffee and chequebook, writing cheques to all her favourite charities.
“The life that really is life” that Paul speaks of in his letter to Timothy is this sharing of resources, of the gifts and talents in whatever form we have been given, to transform the world into one of justice and peace. He says, “Set your hopes on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment,” and “if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.”
Our task then is to open our ears and eyes to see all the ways we have been blessed abundantly, and then, in turn, bless others as we are able with the gifts and talents given us. For that’s how the divine exchange works and how love flourishes. Amen.