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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues.

 

What really matters?

Pursuing the riches of a good and godly life - the success that really matters.
1 Timothy 6:6-19

 

Context

Trump unplugged or Trump unhinged? The USA President’s speech to the UN makes claims about his achievements, and criticises the UN and Europe.

Meanwhile Sir Ed Davey in his LibDem conference speech warns against Britain adopting the values of Trump, Farage and the Reform Party; and Mark Robinson, a self-styled ‘patriotic millionaire’ sought support for a wealth tax.

Rising living costs don’t just affect pensioners and families. Recent research discovered that the majority of young people could not afford to move out and live independently due to high household costs. And, while the accumulation of wealth may not be an ethical goal in itself, financial independence can be a life saver, as a domestic abuse victim turned sculptor testifies.

The recognition of Palestinian statehood by more than 150 countries is a source of both joy and concern to Palestinians, who fear Israeli reprisals, as fatal attacks on Gaza continue. Arab and Muslim leaders also met with Trump, seen by some as the leader who is best placed to bring about a ceasefire.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

1 Timothy 6.6-19 exhorts us not to pursue worldly success and riches but, instead, the qualities of godliness: righteousness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. This appears counter-cultural in today’s political climate. Do we see any of these qualities in Trump, the British royal family, our government leaders, or other world leaders? What qualities do we value in leadership? What are the qualities that might help to achieve peace in Gaza and other war-torn parts of the world?

Timothy is warned that ‘money is the root of all evil’ and the reading provides some reasons why. What do we think? What if money can be used for good – such as through fair trade, helping abuse victims, or citizen activism. This theme was explored in the ‘Money’ track from the 2002 concept band and media project 1 GiaNT LeAp by electronic music duo Catto and Bridgeman. The song Ta Moko starts with the quote “some people went around interviewing dying patients, but not one person said they regretted not making more money or working harder. They all seemed to say their their regrets were not spending more time with the people they loved and not travelling more and relating more to to the world and the planet.”

The reading helps us to question what really matters to us. Where do we invest our time? What riches are we building – for worldly success or for everlasting life? Timothy is encouraged to ‘do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.’ How well do we live up to this in our personal life? As a church?

 

Questions for discussion

• What do we look for in our world leaders? How do we judge their success? Is godliness something we should expect and look for?
• How do we use our money and resources? What riches are we building? Are we using money ethically or seeking success in the wrong places?
• Where do we look for success? Are we living a Godly life? What does that look like in our local community?

Jane Chevous is an activist, writer, sailor, and leader of Survivors Voices. She also researches and writes about abuse, survivor theology, mental health and the sea.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

Up and down the country, at this time, schools and churches will be preparing to celebrate harvest festivals. Harvest sambas and traditional hymns will be sung, towers of tinned foods will be constructed, and flower arrangers will create original displays incorporating an ever-increasingly exotic selection of fruit and vegetables. We will speak of our gratitude that we have enough and bring along our contribution for those who do not and, if we are not careful, we will consider our very small offering enough, pat ourselves on the back and carry on with the rest of our lives.

There is a deep challenge in 1 Timothy 6.6-19, not simply to do one small act of measured generosity, but to live generous lives which call us to give of ourselves in every way. This is not a passage for the select few, ultra-holy types - this is a challenge for us all and for all ages. When we engage in our annual act of harvest celebrations, in spite of the fact that very few of us will ever plough the fields or scatter, we are passing on more than a tradition. We are passing on a way of life - to live generous and thankful lives, sharing all that we have with all those around us.

When we live as generous people, we also move away from our ‘have and have-not’ mentality to a recognition of our shared humanity, vulnerability, and appreciation of all that God has given us.

Becky May is Tutor in Children’s and Families Ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge and Children, Youth and Families Mission Lead for Rural Missions.

 

 

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