If the members of our Churches continue to indulge in excessive pleasures like overseas holidays, luxury cars, and holiday houses while claiming to support the poor and marginalized in our world then we will have to look elsewhere for change.
They rationalize their pleasures and appropriate the goodness of God while doing nothing to help the poor and needy even in their own congregations.
They are dishonest and corrupt.
They may be nice people and they may look after their families and friends.
They may support charities.
But the amount they give is small compared to the amount they spend on themselves.
Jesus said of them:
"'For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?'" Matthew 5:46,47 (NRSV)
"Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?'" Luke 6:46 (NRSV)
"'"This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."'" Matthew 15:8 (NRSV)
"'For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'" Matthew 6:21 (NRSV)
So have a heart that loves all people.
Help them and pray for them.
Pray for others to overcome their fears.
And you will have treasure in Heaven.
[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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