The story is told of a time some years back, when a great ship struck a reef and began to sink. It was obvious that the people on the ship had only a few minutes to escape, so all their belongings were abandoned as they fled to the lifeboats.

However, one man on the ship ran and filled his pockets with money, gold, silver, and whatever else he could find of value that had been left behind. This effort took just long enough that there were no lifeboats left. So, the man put on a life jacket and jumped overboard, happy with his new riches and his narrow escape.

But, as his friends who had left quickly looked on, the moment the man hit the water, he plummeted to the bottom of the ocean like an anchor…the weight of the gold being too much to allow him to float.

Greed…it often fills us with that which will sow the seed to our own destruction, physically, in relationships and spiritually…separating us from God.

Let’s be honest, money and possessions are a big part of our lives…even we who claim to be followers of Jesus. We often have an attitude that succumbs to the desires of the creation.

If you ever bother to read the Book of Amos, he was living in somewhat interesting times like we are, and he described how many of the people became impatient during worship services because they wanted to get back to work so that they could accumulate…what else?…more possessions.

Indeed, the merchants who obediently suspended business for the Sabbath he tells us, fidgeted throughout the worship services and simply saw it as an obligation, while watching the clock so-to-speak until they could get back to what they really wanted to do. So, while they were praising God with their lips, in actuality, their hearts and minds were far from Him.

Who says the Old Testament doesn’t hold any lessons for our time? I’m sure what I’ve just described sounded familiar to many of us as our minds wandered off thinking about work, shopping, or the football game that will be starting shortly…hurry up Pastor…kickoff is only an hour away! (Actually, I think my sermons are considerably shorter than most.)

In any event, we really do need to ask ourselves if we are anything like the people to whom Amos was addressing. Are we praising God with our lips while our hearts and minds are far away? Do we live our lives in such a way that there is no doubt in people’s minds that we are followers of Jesus Christ or do our actions make people wonder if we even have a faith? Are we so consumed with money and possessions and living life to its fullest that church is seen as something that merely gets in our way?

Now, I’m merely asking the question. You’re the one who needs to answer it.

 Here is another way to approach this question. What if being escorted into the presence of God upon your death, the first thing our Lord asks you is this, “What was so bloody important that you blew me off ____ Sundays in the last year?”

You’ll notice I left a blank for you to fill in the number of Sunday worship services you’ve missed this past year.

So, what’s going to be your answer? Don’t think the topic won’t come up. Jesus actually says that it will.

With that happy thought, yes, our many, many sins are forgiven us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, but I would direct everyone to Jesus’ parable of the talents given in Matthew 25:14-30 as just one of several he gave describing Judgment Day. For some will be commended and some not.

Until next month….

Pastor Roloff