Manuel is the pastor of several small, very poor congregations in rural Honduras, the second poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. Todd is the pastor of a large and wealthy congregation in Baltimore. In the 1980’s, Todd and Manuel were roommates in college. A while back, Todd went to Honduras to visit Manuel. […]
2729) Feeling Sorry for the Wealthy (a) Read More »
The 10% tithe for the Lord’s work is a Biblical concept that is worth emphasizing and striving toward. It is also a word at which many folks stop listening. I don’t want to lose you, but neither do I want to ignore this important Biblical guideline. So I would like to encourage you
By Johann Gerhard (1582-1637), a German Lutheran pastor and professor of theology. He wrote dozens of books, including Sacred Meditations, a collection of 51 meditations published in 1606 from which this piece was taken. The greedy man is the poorest of all men, because what he has fails him as much as what he does not have. He
2654) Avoiding Greed Read More »
“The Miser” A story by Ivan Krilov (1768-1844), Russian writer of fables, from Harper’s Fourth Reader, © 1888, by Harper and Brothers. The image above is “The Miser,” 1780, painted by Gainsborough Dupont (1754-1797) “Is it worthwhile being rich if one is never to enjoy his riches, but only spend his life in
2653) How to Get Enough Read More »
“The Widow’s Mite” (1890), by James Tissot (1836-1902) ——————————— Luke 21:1-4 — As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all
2652) Jesus is Watching Read More »
From a sermon Whenever I have to give a stewardship sermon I think about my grandmother’s oldest sister, Aunt Agnes. She was a kind old lady, and I only once remember her having a stern word for anyone, and that was for me. I was still in seminary, and it pleased her to
2651) Advice from Aunt Agnes Read More »
ILYAS, a short story by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) (…continued) ‘May I speak to him?’ asked the guest. ‘I should like to ask him about his life.’ ‘Why not?’ replied the master, and he called from the kibítka in which they were sitting: ‘Grandfather, come in and have a cup of kumiss with
2606) An Old Married Couple (part two) Read More »
(photo of Leo Tolstoy and his wife in 1910, six weeks before his death) ILYAS, a short story by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) There once lived in Oufá a man named Ilyás. His father, who died a year after he had found his son a wife, did not leave him much property. Ilyás then
2605) An Old Married Couple (part one) Read More »
(…continued) You will be told many other things. You will be told that pleasure is the most important thing is life. You will be told that you must seek pleasure at all costs and do all you can to avoid pain. There is, of course, nothing wrong with enjoying life. Life is a gift
2369) What Will You Believe? (part two of two) Read More »
From a sermon on a Confirmation Sunday. ————————- John 14:23a…27– Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” *********************************
2368) What Will You Believe? (part one of two) Read More »
