“Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things…” Luke 16:25a

Dear Friends:
Reports regularly tell us the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The wealthiest ten percent of the households in the United States carry over seventy-five percent of the country’s net worth. And, to top it all off, when our wealth puts us on top, we have the power, we have control over things. For many of us, this is good. Wealth allows us security. Financial stability affords the comforts of convenience. When we’re on top, we can enjoy all life has to the fullest.  

It seems that our concern over money is an age old concern. In this week’s lesson from Luke 16:19-31, as Jesus teaches a third parable about richness, he has some unsettling words of role reversal when it comes to the rich and the poor. Last week we were chastised by Jesus who just earlier in chapter sixteen tells us we cannot serve God and wealth. The apostle Paul writes to his prodigy, Timothy, that the love of money can be a root of all evil. The Bible has a lot to say about what we do with our money. In fact, Jesus has more to say about money than any other topic. So Jesus tells the story of the rich man and the poor man and the economy of wealth.

As is the way with Jesus, things are turned around. The poor man dies and is carried to heaven by the angels. The rich man dies and is tormented in the fires of hell. The story is bleak and the outcome for role reversal with the rich climbing back up onto the ladder of comfort and the poor man dropping back down onto the sidewalk of depravity is not promising. Why does Jesus do this to us? Why do we once again have to hear Jesus’ words about the perils of our misunderstanding of financial wealth?  I’m squirming in my chair as I look honestly at Jesus’ call for generous kingdom living verses the reality of the haves and the have nots. Jesus wants us to face facts about how we use our money.

Celebration Sunday takes place on Sunday! We’re going to celebrate God’s good work through the many ministries of Epiphany. Following worship we’ll “eat our way through the ministries”. Visit each table. Pick up a snack or a treat. Learn about the various ministries. Give prayerful thought to how you’d like to serve with a ministry. Sign up to be part of a ministry or ministries. You don’t have to do it all. But, use your gifts. Share what you have of your time, talent and treasure in the life of Epiphany. You’ll be glad you did. Because, when investing wisely and rightly we’re shining our light for the glory of God making God’s world known through the life of Epiphany. Investing our resources in God’s kingdom is life changing! Give it a try!

Sunday is even more glorious as we’re celebrating Holy Baptism on Sunday as well. This Sunday our baptismal candidate is an adult, Brian. He will speak his vows for himself. At the same time, he needs the community of Epiphany to support him in his baptized life. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to serve as a witness to Brian’s new life as a baptized member of the body of Christ.

Sunday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m. resident theologian John Rybicki will return with part two of his “What is Required” class on Christian Discipleship. John is a dynamic and provocative teacher, always inviting folks to share their thoughts and ideas about Christ in our lives then and now. We’ll be meeting in Room 120 just to the left of the entrance doors. You’ll be glad you came. Tomorrow, we’re cooking Hot Meals beginning at 9:00 a.m. with Cathi Teti leading the kitchen brigade. Come any time throughout the day and help out. Chop, stir, wash up, pack up, load up one hundred meals for our friends on the streets of Fairfax. The time rushes by and the day is full of reward.

As our week winds down, pray for our country and our world. Pray for hearts to be free of hardening and hands to reach out in caring for one another. Epiphany, you do this well. Let us continue in showing the neighborhood and beyond that God’s grace, love and mercy is the true value of our wealth.

See you along the way.

Many blessings,
Hillary