Camel through A Needle's Eye - General Convention Day 4

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Matthew 19:23-30

Yesterday we heard the budget presentation and there was time for question and answer. We met in joint session in the House of Deputies. We worry a lot about budgets and shrinking numbers as a church. I marvel at how much there is, really, and wonder if the money doesn't get in our way. It often does. Too often we forget how blessed we are, and how fortunate we are to have the support of church staff and budgets. Jesus said it is hard for the rich to go to heaven, those who focus on keeping wealth above all things. Let us remember when we start worrying about money, that all we have is a gift from God.

Tender Creator, you shower us with your blessings

providing us daily with the needs for the day

giving us the support and family and community

filling us with enough to share with others.

We are too often greedy and hoarding of wealth

we worry about dollars and forget our neighbors

we live for gain and not for loving sacrifice

yet you promise to provide for all our needs.

Help us to be those who live to give up first place

who share our resources with the needy here

who live abundantly with what we have been given

and are ready to give ourselves away for the sake of your love. Amen.