Enoch’s Path – Affluenza Part 1

mark 12:38-44

38He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, 39basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. 40And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”
41Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. 42One poor widow came up and put in two small coins-a measly two cents. 43Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. 44All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford-she gave her all.” (The Message)

A story of money, and how the leaders of the church were wasting their gifts.

We shouldn’t be in a position saying that “simple churches” are some how better than the “modern church.” A lot of people are still connected and moved within that context. From our perspective, it comes down to a question of stewardship issue. What do we give to other than a building, programming and staffing?

A friend of Andy’s taught his son how to take care of widows when they lived next door to one. The father told his son to mow her lawn and that she wouldn’t pay him. The father would pay the son to mow the family lawn, but he understood that he wouldn’t get paid for mowing her lawn. What a beautiful story.

In Affluenza, there’s a teenager at a huge mall who was asked what her purpose for being there responded, “my only purpose is to spend money.”

Many of us grew up with the mentality that in order to be blessed, we must give to the church. If we tithe, everything will be ok. Read Malachi 3:8 – “Don’t Steal From God.” The principle is NOT that if we give money to the church, God will give you a bunch of cash. God promises to bless us by fulfilling our lifes in community and in this we will find a richer more meaningful life.

Since the 1950’s, America has consumed more resources than all the people who have ever lived on the earth.

How long can America go on consuming all the resources in the world before we implode? Before countries begin to revolt?