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Upper Room "Wealthy?" Read Luke 18:18-30 How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Luke 18:24 (NRSV) I heard a story about a man whose will dictated that travelers checks be placed with him in his coffin. I chuckled at this attempt to counter the saying, "You can't take it with you." Still, I've also always struggled to comprehend Jesus' comment about the wealthy. While certainly not a rich person by most people's definition, I possess many things that Jesus would surely view as extravagant. Even beyond that, it would seem irresponsible to give away all of my material possessions. When I'm old and retired, my wife and I don't want to burden our children with the financial hardship of trying to support us. In some ways, I think a lot of people feel doomed by this passage. Yet when I look at it in the context of the entire chapter, I understand that it does not say we have to be penniless to enter heaven. The passage is about whether we love wealth and possessions more than we love the Lord. We are expected to help those in need while also providing for our own needs. How do we find this balance? Through faith and reading scripture, we can remember to rely on Christ, whose guidance remains sound. Andrew C. Billings (South Carolina, U.S.A.) PRAYER Dear Lord, teach us the value of sharing what we have with others. Help us to know that life's true rewards cannot be bought and are not found in this earthly life. Amen. THOUGHT OF THE WEEK How can I more faithfully share my wealth with those in need? PRAYER FOCUS People captive to possessions RELATED READING "Climbing the Sycamore Tree" Based on the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-9), CLIMBING THE SYCAMORE TREE is a six week study on economic faithfulness. It provides clear biblical insight and current information to show how our buying habits often marginalize certain people and perpetuate systems that contradict good stewardship and love for God's creation. Following the experience of Zacchaeus, this group study written by Ann Hagmann seeks to deepen the link between the faith we profess and the lifestyle we live. Each week's reading consist of five lessons and material for a group session.

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