REALITY TV AND THE BIBLE
Luke 13: 10-17 (NRSV)

There’s been a question about who would replace the Billy Grahams in our society? I recently discovered part of the answer to that question.

Some of you may wonder how we get our Scripture readings each week. In preparation for preaching I usually read the lectionary texts ahead. Our passage for today starts off a series of readings that go through the end of October. There is a thread of continuity in these readings that sounds like a Reality TV series, only with a real supernatural presence that influences events.

In each passage there is at least one character, sometimes more than one, who is confronted with a situation that demands that they change their attitude and/or their circumstances. It begins to resemble a soap opera but it really shows us the reality of Jesus and that people haven’t changed much over the last 2000 years.

A crippled woman is healed at an inappropriate time; a wedding guest has to move; a man starts building a tower and then realizes he doesn’t have enough money to finish it; a desperate, unsavory sales manager is confronted with praise for his financial creativity. There more: A “little person” up in a tree is asked to host Jesus for a meal and  learns about self-esteem; a rich man is forced to change his attitude about the way he lived his life.  

There is a judge, confronted with a widow’s persistence, who has to make a decision; a healed leper is confronted with the ingratitude of his peers at the feet of Jesus.  A shepherd is confronted with his unwillingness to let a single sheep be lost; and then a woman needs to find a coin that was lost. Sounds like the pitch for a TV show?

Listen to today’s passage from Luke 13: 10-17:

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.

¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” ¹³When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.

¹⁴But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day.”

¹⁵But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water?

¹⁶And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Have you ever wondered why we like “Reality TV?”

Why are there so many TV shows showing the stories of families, real people in artificial environments like Survivor or Big Brother, people who make a living buying (and cheating others if possible) storage lockers or antiques, and many other scenarios? You probably have your favorites.

There are five general types of Reality TV shows: documentaries; competitive game shows; hidden cameras; makeover shows; and social experiments (like survivor or Big Brother). (Just as there as different types of parables, interactions, conversations, and actions in the encounters of Jesus.)

The roots of Reality TV can be found in shows like Candid Camera, Truth or Consequences, To Tell the Truth, Adam 12, Emergency, and Dragnet, and so on.

 
But why do we like these shows? Is it because we are nosy? Is it because this is just a higher form of gossip? Is it because it’s entertaining? Do we identify with the people out of sympathy or the new concept of “synthetic friendship that comes out of electronic devices?”

Or are we just that bored? Or so desperately in need of entertainment?

I think sometimes there is an even more sinister reason: simply put, watching these people screw up their lives makes us feel better about our own and the decisions we have made. This was true in Jesus’ day as well. But there is a more dangerous element as well.

We can passively watch these shows, laugh, interact emotionally with them, cry with them, but we never have to leave our couch to do it. To some people a reality TV character may be more real than actual people they live and work with.

Back to Bible reality: Seeing Jesus deal with the rigid rules and expectations of the Jewish culture is much like watching a reality TV show.

The people we encounter are like those people we meet on the Desperate Housewives, the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo, Jon and Kate plus 8, Mountain Men, the Deadliest Catch, and the 100 or so others we could mention. But with one difference.

Jesus is the tie that brings them all together. His teachings, sacrifice, and grace extends to all. In a culture that celebrates multiple truth and realities, Jesus and His Heavenly Father remain the one unchanging factor in every story.

That’s the point behind this story of the woman who is granted healing and the strength to overcome the impact evil has had on her life. Evil claims our lives in the bad decisions we make or the courses of action we refuse to take.

Jesus tells her and the others around her that to get out of a rut, you have to stop doing those things that keep you from jumping out of the rut.

Jesus touched her and she stood straight up and began to praise God.When you stand straight you see straight, and when you praise God your heart is lifted as well.The woman began to see the world differently.

She began to see that we humans build barriers by our interpretations of God’s rules. Isn’t that why reality TV is so interesting? We see how others are living their lives marching to a different drum.

Reality TV shows show us the sins of humanity in full screen color with replays and syndicated rebroadcast. My trouble with reality TV is that some people get so caught up in the shows that it becomes the “reality” of their lives. They think they know the people on the shows and relate on a personal level to them. It becomes another way to escape the real world.

And people learn to interact with others and what to believe through these shows.

For the first time in American history, whatever is happening in religion and society is being driven by the media instead of teachings of the family, churches, and schools. We already see the danger of a TV culture.

“TV” reality becomes real in the mind of the viewers, but no morality, no judgment, no right or wrong applies. And people want to be like the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo, etc. And they expect to relate to each other the same way.

But the reality of the Bible and Jesus’ messages presents us a consistent moral story that frequently contrasts good values versus good TV.

Duck Dynasty has caught on because of its higher calling and sheer differences in the usual messages of reality TV. I am reminded of the uniqueness of Jesus messages to the Jews as well.

Duck Dynasty is mostly a restaged version of actual events that portray the true character and actions of the Robertson family of Monroe, Louisiana.

They may be rednecks, they may like guns and killing things, and their work ethics (as portrayed on the show) are different from most people, they may eat strange things like squirrels, ground hogs, and frogs, but they do live by a code of Christian ethics that uphold marriage and the family. And they are a delight to watch.

But there are hidden facts the world hasn’t caught onto yet: All four of the Robertson men are ordained preachers of their church and each show ends with a prayer and an uplifting message related to family and Christian values.

The shows are fun to watch, the messages uplift, there is little or no bad language, and sexuality is handled biblically. Phil Robertson has recently even spoken out against our national abortion culture.

I would like to think that their story, like the reality TV stories of the Bible, are pleasing to God for the message and examples they give us, who are starved for God’s word. This family is not perfect but you can always see what they value.

Isn’t it interesting that when the Roman Empire was falling apart, the people were kept reasonably happy with meaningless festivals and Circuses. Now we have “Reality” television as diversion while the government and politicians are out of control.

Despite the anti-Christian culture of Hollywood a show like Duck Dynasty is setting records for viewership. God is getting his message out, just like Jesus did in a culture so determined to kill him and His message.

I wonder how long the culture will tolerate Duck Dynasty? When will the atheists and secularists begin the steps to ask for the termination of this show and the squashing of their message? They’ve already been asked to stop praying at the end of each show.

Phil Robertson is using his celebrity to book speeches and talks that center around his faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people are hearing God’s word because of Duck Dynasty.

Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is the ultimate Reality Story pilot. Telling it makes me, “Happy, happy, happy!” Amen.

“Only One Opinion is Right”

Luke 12: 49-56 (NRSV) 

Two guys are fishing in a boat under a bridge. One looks up and sees a funeral procession starting across the bridge. He stands up, takes off his cap, and bows his head.

The procession crosses the bridge and the man puts on his cap, picks up his rod and reel, and continues fishing. The other guy says, "That was touching. I didn't know you had it in you." The first guy responds, "Well, I guess it was the thing to do - after all, I was married to her for 40 years." 

Have you ever considered the differences in judgment and opinion between men and women? 

NICKNAMES: If Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose. If Mike, Charlie, Bob and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.

EATING OUT: When the bill arrives, Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy
will each throw in $20 even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, they pull out pocket calculators.

MONEY: A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need because it's on sale.

BATHROOMS: A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Holiday Inn. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.

ARGUMENTS: A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE: A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

SUCCESS: A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. 

MARRIAGE: A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.  A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change and she does.

DRESSING UP: A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book and get the mail. A man will only dress up for church, weddings, and funerals. 

NATURAL: Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING: A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

FINALLY THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

We know that there are significant differences in how men and women view things and develop opinions and attitudes. But we also encounter an entirely different mindset between humans and God. Listen to Jesus from Luke 12: 49-56: 

Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!  

From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."  

He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `It is going to rain'; and so it happens.  

And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat;’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?" 

Much is often said of the peaceful nature of Jesus Christ and the unity that he desires among His followers. But the really is far different. The unity He desires is that following Him requires a total commitment by everyone to Him and His kingdom.

Jesus accepts no compromise. Jesus allows no reservations. Jesus doesn’t tolerate lukewarm professions of faith. No excuses, no delays, no haltering steps. You do the Jesus walk or you go somewhere else. 

Of course we know that receiving grace is different than living in it. To receive grace is to be set free in the amazing love of God and the sacrifices of His Son. 

A few weeks ago Bill O’Reilly gave his take on Jesus and salvation. O’Reilly spouted that, “All you have to do is treat others nice and God will treat you nice.” That’s a nice slogan for kindergarten but its lousy salvation theology.   

O’Reilly fails to live his beliefs almost every night when he is rude and obnoxious to those he disagrees with but claims works righteousness as a justification to do it.   

Kitty Collins once said, “Nothing is as difficult as to achieve results in this world if one is filled full of great tolerance and the milk of human kindness. The person who achieves must generally be a one-idea individual, concentrated entirely on that one idea, and ruthless in his aspect toward other men and other ideas.”  

O’Reilly’s problem illustrates this point: He wants to be perceived as nice but tough; a good guy among evil doers who lives by a code of ethics that makes (or will make) him a saint. He will fail. 

Most Christians in our current culture face the same dilemma – How can we be true to Christ and still live in our world? The answer is simple. Jesus says we can’t. Only a rejection of the world and human values and opinions will work. 

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

We all suffer a natural barrier between where Jesus calls us and where we need to be. Only by putting Him first are we given the tools of grace that allow us to live in our fallen world. It is through faith and not works. 

It is through that grace and a Christian identity that the divisions between our house-holds and families are mended. The grace of God heals our wounds, mends our fences, and makes us ready for the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ. 

Time is short and preparation time precious. We are to encourage all to recognize that it is only through Jesus that salvation comes to man. Amen.

WHO’s Your Boss?
Luke 12: 32-40 NRSV

Personnel directors of one hundred corporations were asked to describe their most unusual experiences interviewing prospective employees. Here are some:

-A job applicant challenged the interviewer to an arm wrestle.
-Interviewee wore a Walkman, explaining that she could listen to the interviewer and the music at the same time.
-Candidate fell off chair and broke arm during interview.
-Candidate announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and French fries in the interviewer’s office.
-Candidate said he never finished high school because he was kidnapped and kept in a closet in Mexico.
-Balding Candidate excused himself and returned to the office a few minutes later wearing a headpiece.
-Applicant said if he was hired he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.

My favorite: The applicant interrupted interview to phone her therapist for advice on how to answer specific interview questions.

Employee job descriptions are subject to company expectations and supervision.   

Did you see this TV show? A young man named Ronnie was a shift supervisor who happened to be training a woman named Sarah for what he thought was her new job as a waitress at a Boston Market restaurant.  

As they worked, Ronnie talked about how much the customers irritated him. “I literally hate customers more than anything in the entire world. I hate them so much,” he told Sarah. “It’s all about them all the time and their demands,” he continued, adding his disdain at having to suffer through the day serving customers.  

Oops! Sarah was, in fact, the “Chief Brand Officer” at Boston Market who was a subject on CBS’s Undercover Boss. Ronnie was shocked to learn the trainee was actually a bigwig at the company. Even after he learned who she was, he still failed to show any remorse at his comments.  

“I could tell them my attitude would change but I don’t think it was that terrible,” he said, out of earshot of Sarah after the big reveal. Let’s hear about Jesus’ concept of employee relations from Luke 12: 32-40:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 

Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.  

“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”  

Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 

That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. 

This is a great illustration of how the kingdom of God takes the attitudes and values of the world as we know it, and turns them inside out.  

Jesus told us in the Gospel of Mark that the Son of God came not to be served but to serve. The God of the universe cares for us and wants to serve us! No other human religion of faith has such a belief. 

Notice what the master in Jesus’ story does. He grabs an apron and begins to serve his servants. On the other hand, our friend Ronnie, is a bad example of a person whose job it is to serve others who complains at having to “suffer through the day serving customers.” 

Jesus began the discourse with two traditional images for action: girded loins and lamps lit. Girded loins prepared one for running and moving around. The clothes were tied up in a fashion similar to an apron. Having your lamps lit refers to being able to move around at night.  

Taken together, the images painted the idea of quick, nighttime travel. In the context of Luke 12, the night referred to the trials (the dark times) before the Final Judgment. In other words, the Christian community was to be prepared for fast action, in spite of persecution, when they least expected it. 

What does this mean today? It means being able to be ready with a Christian witness and response when you encounter evil and wrong in our world. I was showing folks this morning a copy of a $ 50 off your abortion coupon from the Orlando Women’s Center as just such an example. The kicker – the coupon is good only on Sunday. 

Remember, Jesus finished these few verses with an admonition. Be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come. We still don't know, but we are forewarned. 

We need to be at peace with every day, for each new day may be the start of eternity. Life is far too tough for us to wander off the track of being ready. Let us focus on the small things and know that the larger things will take care of themselves. 

Bernice had been employed at the same office for over 50 years and was the boss’s top secretary. Everyone was jealous of her. Every day when Bernice showed up for work she would open the drawer to her left, peek inside, and then lock it.  

When she finally died, her coworker Sandy, who was dying of curiosity, made it her mission to figure out what was in that drawer. After days of searching she finally found the key. Sweating with excitement she slowly opened up the drawer. 

Inside was a folded piece of paper. Slowly she reached inside and took it out, while cautiously looking over her shoulder. After a few seconds of trepidation she opened it up. It said the following “Put only one spoonful of sugar in the boss’s coffee.”

 

Wow. That's being ready to serve someone else, isn't it? 

Perhaps the most practical thing to take from this message is this: Charles Kingsley said it best: “Have thy tools ready; God will find thee work.” And God, who is our Boss, will take care of us!  

The paper passed down by this church says: “Biblically Affirm Salvation in Christ.” Amen.

“Leave God  out   of  it”
Luke 12: 13-21 (NRSV) 

Do you remember the old joke about the priest, rabbi, and the televangelist? 

A priest, rabbi and televangelist were playing their usual Wednesday round of golf, and started discussing their weekly collections. They began to compare how they decided what portion of the collection to keep for themselves and what portion to give to God.  

The rabbi explains: "I draw a circle around myself and toss the money in the air. Whatever lands in the circle I keep for myself. Whatever lands outside the circle, I give to God."  

The priest then adds: "I use a similar method, except that whatever lands in the circle I give to God, and whatever lands outside the circle I keep for my personal needs."  

The televangelist then proclaims: "I also use the same method. Except, that I toss the money in the air and I figure that whatever God wants, he can take."  

Tithing is one thing, but how do we return God’s abundant blessings? Stewardship! 

Money and possessions are not easy topics for serious sermons and discussions in the church. Most of us would not like to be placed in the uncomfortable position of being forced to give up our wealth and possessions or to even talk about the need to fundraise in the church. But it works the other way too. 

Let me tell you a true story of a church in Georgia. A few years ago a church had an anonymous donor, who did not attend the church, make annual donations of about $100,000 to the church. The church is a 350-member congregation with an annual budget of less than $300,000. 

Members of the church weren’t surprised when the man bequeathed money to the church after he died. But there was stunned silence among the assembled members when the pastor broke the news that the man had owned 49 percent of the region’s Camden Telephone Company and had left the church $60 million. 

“This is a number that doesn’t have any reality,” the pastor said. The man’s will gave no instructions on how the money was to be used, so the church has set up an advisory board to decide how to handle the money.

The church has been besieged by calls from people asking for money. The pastor admits worrying that greed could consume his congregation. “How do we remain a Christian church with all this money?” he wonders. Jesus would agree that the challenge is a dangerous one: Luke 12: 13-21 - 

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed: for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 

Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 

Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  

So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” 

Honoře de Balzac wrote, “As a rule, only the poor are generous.” Jesus agrees. 

As a general rule some folks give and then try to retain the right to what their gift is used for. This is especially true in churches. 

A church member angrily complained to the pastor that the church had purchased five new brooms, and he felt the purchase was unnecessary and wasteful. 

The pastor mentioned it to the church treasurer, who responded, “No wonder he was upset. How would you feel if you saw everything you gave in the past year tied up in five brooms?” 

St. Francis of Assisi preached, “…it is in the giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

John Raleigh Mott said, “The world asks, ‘How much does he give?’ Christ asks why does he give?”  

 

That's what Jesus' point is in this passage -- why do we do what we do?

One Sunday morning the pastor encouraged his congregation to consider the potential of the church.

He told them, “With God’s help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking.” 

And the people responded, “Let the church walk, pastor; let the church walk.” 

He continued, “And when the church begins to walk, next the church can begin to run.” 

And the people shouted, “Let the church run, pastor; let the church run.” 

The pastor continued, “And finally the church can move from running to flying. Oh, the church can fly! But of course it’s going to take a lot of money for that to happen!” 

The congregation grew quiet, and from the back someone mumbled, “Let the church walk, pastor; let the church walk.” 

Instead we concentrate on accumulating possessions. 

 

Isn't it interesting that beyond routine maintenance this church's biggest problem is finding a new place to store anything new we get.

Did you know that the people in the United States possess about 1.9 billion square feet of personal storage space outside of the home? This self-storage space is in nearly 40,000 facilities owned and operated by more than 2,000 companies such as Public Storage, Storage USA, and Shur-gard.  

According to a recent survey, the owners of one of every nine homes rent a self-storage space. This represents an increase of 75 percent since 1995.  

As the amount of storage space required by homeowners has grown, so has the average size of the American house. The National Association of Homebuilders reports that the average American house increased from 1,660 square feet in 1973 to 2,400 square feet in 2004, and it’s close to 3,000 feet today. 

So let’s get this straight — houses get bigger, average family sizes get smaller, yet we still need to tack on almost two billion square feet of extra space to store our stuff? We have been blessed as the wealthy landowner was blessed, haven’t we? 

But what about spiritual growth and eternal preparations? 

If we can’t follow God’s request to be generous with the abundance He has given  thenlet me give you a final piece of wisdom you can understand with simple human logic:

One day a famer sat in front of his house, smoking his corncob pipe. Along came a stranger who asked, “How’s your cotton coming?” “Ain’t  got none,” was the answer, “Didn’t plant none. ‘fraid of the boll weevil.”

“Well how’s your corn?” “Didn’t plant none, ‘fraid o’ drought.” “How about your potatoes?”  “Ain’t got none, scairt o’ tater bugs.” “Well,” finally asked the stranger, “what did you plant?” 

“Nothin’,” answered the farmer. “I just played it safe.” 

Likewise a lot of churches and Christians are playing it safe as well. The rich man in Jesus’ parable thought he could play it safe too.  He left God out of his wealth.  

But out of the abundance that God has given He expects some to be returned to build up and strengthen His kingdom to reach out to His people. It is not wealth that is important but how that wealth is used. If we can’t do this then God considers us as good as dead. 

Remember the story of Peter and John in Acts chapter 3: They encounter a lame man begging in the Temple who asks for their help. Listen (Acts 3: 4-8): 

Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us.” So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 

Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the Temple complex with them – walking, leaping, and praising God. 

God would not have us be stingy with the abundance he has given – wealth includes time, talent, and wisdom. All can be shared to build His kingdom and lift others out of the burden of sin. 

Amen.