August 4 2019 Luke 12.13-21 “Greedy Guard”

August 4 2019 Luke 12.13-21 “Greedy Guard” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

When I went into the air force as a summer chaplain intern while I was in seminary, I was told that it was not a good thing to be a collector, not good to have hobbies that required a lot of stuff. Since you were likely to be moving around the world, it could become a burden to collect stamps or crystal or angels or anything that would eventually require much time to care for and pack. We were encouraged to prioritize and travel lightly, knowing that everything would have to go, perhaps with only a moment’s notice. We knew we had to prioritize.

So it is in this morning’s text. Whatever we keep in our closets, our storage rooms, our minds, our memories, we do well to prioritize. We do well to store up the things that God treasures. God’s treasures are too important to leave behind wherever we go. We do well to have a big house overflowing with love, a 5 car garage filled with a good attitude, 500 acres of land loaded with the trees of life [ slide # 1 trees ]  with deep roots and branches overflowing with the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, (generosity) faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Of course, we also need to prioritize paying attention and preparing for what we need to eat and the water we need to drink and the things we need to do for the wellbeing of our families and friends, our communities and our missions. After all, God designed us with the pressing need every day to eat, drink a gallon of water, to fellowship with other humans, and to do kind deeds for ourselves and others.  

The scriptures help us to keep everything in perspective by reminding us that in the beginning, God! So in our beginnings, in the midst of so many urgencies we need God at the top. We want to put God first. [slide #  2 God..first priority] In the beginning of our day we want to first give thanks and praise. We want to bless God as God has blessed us. In the beginning of our troubles, we want to first seek God before we seek the lawyer, the doctor, the counselor, the pastor, the friends, and the loved ones. In the beginning of our success, we want to first give credit to God before we credit ourselves or those whom God has used to bring the many blessings that we have received. [slide # 3   God top priority]

Whether we accumulate success, or money, or property, we want to remember to put God first. Nevertheless, it is a human habit to forget about God and pay attention to how much stuff we have and how much our stuff is worth. We even spend a lot of energy thinking about each other’s worth and value based on how much stuff we have.  Even though we know that our stuff cannot tell the whole story. Still there are those who claim to know what is often hidden about a person. They claim to have a special inner radar that reveals a hidden truth.

The other day someone who seems to be a bit preoccupied with conversations on LGBTQ issues suggested that there are people who have what is called “gay dar”. They nose around in the details of someone’s life and try to determine their sexual identity; it is generally sheer, narrowmindedness, and nonsense and no one’s business. (We do better to be able to detect and confront bullies and violent people who need mental health care.)

Another example of our human curiosity gone awry happened when I worked in a Christian bookstore – a chain of about 200 stores. There was a diversity of staff who were mostly church goers. One person in particular was described as light-skinned by some and dark-skinned by others. Her hair was not nappy nor fuzzy nor was it totally straight. For various reasons people would often discuss her ethnicity. We wanted to know, was she black or white or somewhere in between. She would never reveal her identity, her stuff. In fact, she would become quite indignant if anyone would dare to ask her about what she was. No one knew for sure, but people would often claim to have the answer. They claimed to have a radar for color.

There are many attributes that we are curious about that are mostly none of our business. Our business is God’s business, not our neighbor’s business. God’s business as in the world’s business is governed by volumes of rules and laws [slide #  4  law books]. Hopefully, the laws are fair, and just, and kind, and even loving.

Jesus was familiar with rules and laws just as we all are familiar with plenty of rules and laws. We have rules and laws and licenses for every aspect of our lives. There are laws that can affect when and where we travel, what we can eat, where we walk and talk, what medications we take. Even the mattresses we buy have a tag that states a law – even though we may never read them.  

As a rabbi, Jesus was aware that Jews were under the rule of the Roman law. Historically, Jews were legally in control of three areas: excommunication, corporal punishment, and the death penalty. Under Roman rule, the Jews were no longer able to enforce the death penalty. The only rules they could enforce were excommunication and corporal punishment. They had the legal right to kick you out of the community and to shun you, which the Talmud (an official Jewish list of wise sayings and laws) declares is worse than the torturous punishment of scourging. People were banned and shunned for 7 days, 30 days, or 60 days of temporary excommunication.

Laws in the United States leave no room for corporal punishment like the ancient communities and churches were accustomed to. Can you imagine being beaten legally as a punishment for crimes and offenses in a civil court or even a criminal court? In our world, beatings happen when adults lose control. Beatings fulfill the laws of “street justice” not the official justice of our government. The law can be cruel. Fortunately, the law can be changed.

A crowd was listening to Jesus as if they were the jury before a judge when a son asked Jesus to make a judgement – which was one of Jesus’ roles as a rabbi.  Rabbis were judges and medical consultants. ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’

The request makes us wonder. What happened between these two brothers that one is taking the other to court? If you ever watch those judge shows like Judge Mathis, Judge Judy and Hot Bench, you often see confusing misunderstandings among family members who take each other to court. The issues raise lots of questions about complicated and heartbreaking feuds. We see them in the church, too. But in the church, we have the power of the Holiest Spirit to help us breakthrough the hurt and confusion. We can access that same power in all of our families.

When one brother asked Jesus to help him get a share of the inheritance, we do not know how much money he wanted. We do not know what his legal rights were.  We do know that Jesus answered with a probing question: “Who made me the arbitrator between the two of you?

Jesus knew enough to put this brother on the defensive. Is it God in you that is asking for this money or do you have a lesser motive?

Right away we suspect that Jesus is telling this brother that he was out of line, barking up the wrong tree, failing to follow protocol. It happens. What is your motive for asking for me to judge? We all do well to reflect on our motives during conflicts and controversies.

Jesus does not affirm the brother’s right to any money, but he gives him some painful advice. Be on your guard against greed. You are greedy. Greed is defined as intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. [slide #  5   intense and selfish…]

You are greedy. Deal with it. Use your energy to guard against greed, to look inside yourself and pray to be delivered from what is in you that is not like God. Greed is trying to rob you. Be on your guard. Greed wants to harm you. Be on your guard. [slide # 6  guard / flashlight]

We are also in that crowd today with Jesus. We too hear his wise advice. “Be on your guard.” Watch and pray because greed is trying to ruin a relationship with your selfishness and pride. Whether you know it or not, you are motivated by greed and greed is trying to ruin your future. Greed is trying to ruin your reputation. Develop a desire for God by spending time with God. Be on your guard against greed [slide # 7  guard/ hand stop]

Often in the courtroom, we get a sense that the one who is willing to fight the most, cares the least. [slide #  8 I don’t care] That’s why Jesus said in verse 15, “Take care.” [slide # 9  money in fist]  Be full of care that you do not become greedy. Don’t take the money, don’t take the power, don’t take the stuff,…if you take anything, take care.

So today is the day in this world of fear and animosity, when we are easily tempted to look at our needs and wants before we look at Jesus who knows us better than we know ourselves, today is the day to search our lives, to use our radar, our greedy - gar to guard against greed in ourselves and in those around us, and if we take anything, we need to first take care! [slide # 10  take care] Amen. [slide # 11 Start with God…end with God ]