Speaking of Money

Speaking of Money

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:10 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Jesus told Judas that there would always be poor people (John 12:8), suggesting a few things to the disciple’s conscience. Beyond the obvious jab at Judas’ heart, one additional suggestion might have been: Choose wisely how you spend your resources. When dealing with the poor, it is easy to run out of resources, energy, and patience. Over nearly 50 years of ministry, I have met a lot of them and discovered that the majority have been those who simply will not work. 

So, I ask them, “What church do you attend?” Seeing my trap right away, they will sometimes give me a name, often one they had been begging at earlier in the week. So, I ask them what the pastor’s name is and then, what he preached about last Sunday, and finally, “Why isn’t your church helping you?” All of these are, of course, unwelcome questions. Never mind that they asked me to cough up hundreds of dollars in cash for this bill or that. These folks somehow expect the church to process their requests without question and with a big smile. Not me. Not often. Not usually. The “poor” whom the apostles were so concerned for were “the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26), not everybody insisting on a handout (Acts 3:6). Even the missionaries worked for their keep and insisted others do so (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But if you needed help because you could not help yourself, the church would be there for you (Acts 2:45). And it should be today too.

Meanwhile, those able to work must work to supply the means to bring Christ to the world. That takes money even if your name is Jesus or Paul. If we are busy spending the plate on everyone who comes along, then Christ will not be proclaimed far.

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