Sermon Title- What’s In It For Me?

Sermon Subject- Never calculate rewards for good deeds

 

Scripture- Luke 14:1 & 7-14 and Hebrews 13:1-8 & 15-16

 

Date- 2 September, 2001

 

                                 In both our New Testament readings today we get some practical advice on what the Christian life should look like; first from Paul in Hebrews and then from Jesus in Luke’s Gospel.  Both are speaking to the new Christians of 2,000 years ago and both are speaking to the present  “What’s In It For Me” generation.  This generation has practiced the “Cost-Benefit Analysis” as if it were an art form.  We constantly ask if we stand to get in return sufficient reward to justify the expenditure of resources, of our time, money and effort.  Both Jesus and his apostle Paul tell us that this is not how we are to think and act in doing God’s work.

            In Hebrews 13:16 Paul says, “Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”.  John Wesley, the spiritual father of our denomination put it this way- (Read Wesley’s “On Doing Good”).  It is interesting how the world reacts to sacrificial giving.  At one point in our married life when we had two children, one in Georgetown University, Dotty and I were audited 5 years in a row by the IRS folks in Richmond on a single item; charitable donations.  I made it my business to find out why we were setting off alarms.  The average percent of income given for charitable donations, including to the church, for taxpayers in the $100,000 to $150,000 annual income range is 4 to 5%.  This is hardly the sacrificial giving and sharing that Paul is talking about.  The IRS almost refused to believe that anyone would be stupid enough to tithe to the church and then turn around and give away a like amount to worthy charities.  They finally stopped auditing when I threatened to sue for harassment.  Paul did say that the Gospel and Christian faith were viewed as foolishness by the world.

      Paul begins by reminding us that we are to love one another as Christ commanded us when he said, “Love one another as I have loved you”..  Then Paul points out that if we follow that commandment certain things should be manifest in our lives.  These include the desire to make all we encounter feel welcome and at home.  This should be especially in the church.  Do we greet visitors, who are strangers to us when they first come, enthusiastically and make them feel at home?  Do they feel love and acceptance on their first visit?  Do they become aware that obedience to Christ is the priority of this congregation? 

      Other manifestations of obeying this commandment in the lives of Christians are a true empathy and compassion for the down trodden of society, especially those in prison, and spiritual suffering with those who are being persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith.  This love will also be expressed in the lives of those who obey Christ by a heart and will to keep the marriage vows and bed undefiled, by freedom from the love of money and material possessions and by peace and contentment with what we have since what we have is Jesus Christ.  The values and reward systems of the world are a constantly shifting panorama such that those who pursue them are constantly running to keep up, but the peace and contentment in Christ never changes because Christ never changes.  Christ never changes and nothing can separate us from his love!  Amen?

      To this picture of the life of a person living in obedience to Christ painted by Paul Jesus adds two important dimensions.  In two parables Jesus shows us that, first, we are not to seek any recognition for our good deeds.  This seeking of recognition for our good deeds all too quickly becomes pious snobbery, which Jesus saw all too clearly in many of the religious leaders of his day.  Pray that he does not see it in us today.  (Tell the Stanford-Harvard story)  The prophets of old admonished the people to walk humbly with God and that is still the framework around which we should build our lives today.   Then Jesus shows us that we are not to confine our good deeds to people who are likely to repay us.  Instead, the best good deed is for someone who can not repay us and from whom we wish no payment or reward.  Good deeds are like good prayers; they are best done in secret.  Then we trust in Jesus and in his recognition of our obedience to him.  And in the Father’s time Jesus will reward us with rewards far beyond anything the world can offer.  Amen?

      A practical picture of the life of a Christian walking in obedience to Christ is clearly drawn by Paul and by Jesus, a picture of the priorities, actions and behavior in such a life.  And it calls for serious introspection on our part to identify where our lives do and do not match that picture.  Where we do not match that picture we need to change through prayer and with the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit until we have a perfect match.  And what’s in it for us?  We are promised the love of God, the peace of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  As the old song says, “Who could ask for anything more?” Amen!