A few years ago, Bill Hybels wrote the book, Too Busy Not to Pray. It was a read that resonated with me then and still does today. The message of his book is both condensed and revealed in the title. I am thinking about a similarly titled book I want to write one day…Too Tapped Out Not to Give. We are moving into the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Opportunities to give abound at this season. It is easy to feel ‘tapped out.’ But, in your better moments, don’t you think it is good that we are strongly challenged, at least once a year, to be generous?
James 5:1ff is one of the most sobering passages in the New Testament. It warns against the sin of ‘hoarding’ rather than being big-hearted and open-handed with our resources: “Now listen, you rich people [That’s us!], weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. [Why?] Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded…You have hoarded wealth…You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves…”
This series of indictments is because of the sin of selfishly withholding… being too concerned with our own interests and not concerned enough with advancing the Kingdom of God and meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus. This text even compares a hoarder to an oppressor. We are the children of a giving Heavenly Father who tells us in Galatians 6:9 & 10, “Let us not become weary in doing good…As we have opportunity, let us do good.” Yes… when we are too busy, that is the time to pray! And when we feel ‘donor-fatigue,’ that is the time to give!
Pray with me…. Father, we humbly bow in Your presence. We joyfully submit to the correction and admonition in Your Word! We know it will make us more generous, like You! In the name of Jesus, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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