Sermon for 8/4/13 Ecclesiastes 1:2
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Sermon for 8/4/13 Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Please be seated. In 2004, country singer Tim McGraw wrote a song about his father that was so popular it lasted seven weeks at the top of the charts. Live Like You Were Dying tells the story of Tim’s father, who in his early forties, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and given just three weeks to live. The first line of the song is Tim asking his father, "When it sank in that this might really be the real end, how's it hit you when you get that kind of news? Man, what'd you do?" It is difficult for most of us to talk about our own death. But, have you ever been asked the question? “What would you do if you knew when your last day on earth was?” Have you ever asked yourself this question? This week I “Googled” that question, and in all honesty, I was rather surprised at what I found. Some answers were similar to our Old Testament text from Ecclesiastes – that’s just the way it is, we die, no reason to change what I’m doing, nothing matters, what money I have will go to someone else and I have no control over what they do with it. Virtually without exception, the answers addressed financial matters, life insurance policies, and practical things such as showing family where the important documents are, and giving your spouse your logins and passwords. And there were, of course, those who had already had what we now call “bucket lists” – what you want to do before you “kick the bucket.” What surprised me was that out of all the answers – out of almost fifty that I read – there Page 1 were only a handful who made comments about improving their relationship with God. Only ONE person said that they would try to do more for others – that they would give away more of their money to the poor and to their church. The reality is that we are ALL dying. It begins the moment we are born. For us mortal human beings, death is inevitable. Each of us has been given life here on earth for a certain length of time. And when we die, our possessions will no longer have any worth to us – and who knows what the inheritors will do with it! Before us today are TWO questions. “What would you do if you knew exactly when your last day on earth would be? And, “What would you do DIFFERENTLY?” Those are not the same question. “What would you do if you knew exactly when your last day on earth would be? And, “What would you do DIFFERENTLY?” The rich man in the parable in Luke’s Gospel was not thinking much about HIS death. Life was good! He had been living “high on the hog!” He is sometimes viewed as a bad man, but there is nothing to indicate that. He was a successful, law-abiding, respected member of the community. He had obviously been blessed by God! Just look at all he possessed! Goods and productive lands that had this year produced so much grain, the man ran out of space to store it! For the rich man, life was a bed of roses! He believed that his financial success would guarantee him many more years of carefree living. Now that his bigger barns were full of grain, it was time to relax - to eat, drink, and be merry! Jesus reveals the problem in verse 20. The rich man talks and thinks in terms of MY land, MY crops, MY barns, MY grain, and MY goods. He thinks of nothing and no one other than himself! It never occurs to him that he would not have such bounty if it were not for the sun and rain, and the laborers who worked all day in the fields. He does not give any credit or thanks to God for all that he has, or even recognize that it all comes from God. The rich man does not do Page 2 anything with all he has. He selfishly believes he alone is responsible for his accumulation of goods and grain. And he THINKS he has secured his future – BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH STUFF HE HAS! But God says to him, “FOOL, tonight you die!” Beloved, no matter how many earthly possessions we have, no matter how much money we possess, no matter how big our house – without a personal relationship with God – all is VANITY – we will remain unfulfilled - all we will really have is emptiness. No amount of wealth, land, or property can secure our lives, can protect us from a fatal illness, or a tragic accident, or keep our relationships with our family and neighbors healthy. When we fail to be good stewards of all that God has given us - whether we are rich or not – when we keep it for ourselves, for our security, for our safety - we are being greedy. THE LOVE OF MONEY AND POSSESSIONS CAN DIVIDE – DESTROY – CAUSE CONFLICT AND DISENSION! Last year, this church, Mt. Zion-St. Luke was given a significant financial gift from the son of Pastor Dewey Heglar. The Heglar gift is truly a gift from God if ever there was one – but it has already caused confusion and even conflict and hard feelings. Shortly after this substantial money was received our elected church council determined the best way to keep the money safe. A committee was appointed to determine how the money should be used, and the congregation was asked to submit ideas as to how the money can best be used to bring honor and glory to God. As of today, no decision has been made and no money has been spent - but still there are concerns and doubts being voiced. The Heglar gift is just one example of many gifts we receive from God - that has been given to us for a short period of time – that we have been entrusted to use to serve God and our neighbors. How does Jesus teach us to regard earthly possessions? The rich man said to himself, “I have ample goods laid up for many years – now I am going to eat, drink and be merry.” Clearly Page 3 our heavenly Father wants us to enjoy life. AND at the same time – Jesus teaches that we must know where true security and peace lie. True security, peace, and joy lie in trusting God to care for us better than we can care for ourselves - AND it’s about investing our lives and earthly possessions in honor and glory of God, and in service to our neighbor. Tim McGraw’s father didn’t survive for another three weeks – he lived another nine months! The lyrics of the song say that he went sky diving, mountain climbing, fishing, and even bull-riding – that he became a better husband and friend. That he loved deeper, spoke sweeter, and gave forgiveness he'd been denying. The song ends, "Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying – like tomorrow was a gift." Beloved, we have that chance - that opportunity – starting right now. So, “What are you going to do? And, “What are you going to do DIFFERENTLY? Because we ARE dying! Maybe even tonight! Amen Page 4 .