Homily for St. Jude Church/1Tm 4 & Lk 12:42-48

All the rage this week was the lottery. With the Powerball drawing exceeding $1 Billion, many people went out to play. We know that when the lottery numbers grow, so do the number of players. Yet, even though people know the odds are exactly the same whether the amount is $1 million or $1 billion, there is something about the thought of winning a huge amount of money that is exciting.

Throughout this past week many commentators would ask lottery players what they would do with all that money, if they won. The answers were pretty much predictable. I would buy a new car, a new house, go on an extended vacation, pay off debts, and the like. Occasionally someone would have very specific dreams of owning a horse ranch or having a petting zoo. Thankfully many people talk about giving money to their church and charities. What would you do?

The reality of that question should lead us to a deeper question? What do you do with your money today? What do you do with your talent today? What do you do with your possessions, your time, and everything else you have? How often do we have good intentions of helping other people or giving to church and charity, but somehow never seem to get around to it.

Jesus came to this earth in part to teach us how to love God and love our neighbor. He came to show us that if we submit our will to the Father and love those around us we will attain true happiness. We will find peace in this life and eternal life waiting for us at the end of our days. We have all heard the Great Commandment and profess that we believe it, but do we?

What would it take to love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? What would it look like to be a true disciple of Jesus? It would mean that we would trust God with everything we have and everything we are. We wouldn’t worry about the future, about our health, or about our judgment. By trusting God we would know that there would be no place for fear. We wouldn’t fear terrorists or home invaders, bosses or the police.

In addition to trust we would need to be people of forgiveness. True forgiveness doesn’t mean an offense hasn’t happened or that it was “no big deal.” Just the opposite. Real forgiveness happens when we recognize that we have been wronged, maybe greatly. It means that the person who did this to us could do it again. Yet, to live with the anger and desire for revenge only makes life harder. Forgiveness says, “I don’t hold this sin against you anymore. I refuse to allow my happiness and peace to be shaken by your actions. You are a child of God and so I will pray for you. I will treat you with dignity and respect, even if you have not done so to me.” Yes, that is the essence of forgiveness.

In addition to trust and forgiveness we would be humble. We would be servants. We would say to God, “Whatever you need from me is yours.” We would be vessels for God’s goodness and glory. We would recognize that we are creatures and not the creator. We do not control the universe, God does. Our role is to be a servant and a steward of God’s goodness. We are called to control the things we do have some ownership of. We have control of our money, our time, and our attitude. How we spend our money and how we give of our time and talent will determine whether we are servants of God or are servants of the world.

If we are true stewards then we can love our neighbor as ourselves. When we realize all that we have is gift we don’t have to worry when we share with those in need. We don’t have to worry that there will not be enough because God is far more generous than we could ever be. He can take our little offering and multiply it 100 fold.

I believe that is the essence of St. Paul’s guidance to the young bishop Timothy. Paul was saying that Timothy only needs to remain faithful to God the giver of all good gifts and he will be a good and holy servant. It is the same advice given to us. We don’t need to win the lottery to be a good steward. We don’t have to be a millionaire to make the lives of others better. We don’t have to wait until we are older or have more time or anything. We can and should be a good steward today and every day. We don’t know when the Lord will come. What we do know is that we will have to account for how we have used what we have been given.

Be vigilant in prayer, seek the guidance of the Lord, and ask how you can be a true servant of God. Trust, forgive, and be generous and you will know the peace of God which is beyond all telling.