Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
“According to William Barclay, the passage tells us “not that wealth is a sin, but that wealth is a very great responsibility”. The words of 1 Timothy — generous and share — stress that we live in community, with others. Sometimes our understanding of Christian life centers on God and us as individuals, but that is not the vantage point of this epistle.
Sociologists tell us that people today desperately want and seek community, but their experience tells them it is hard to find — in the church or anywhere else… I am increasingly convinced that the task of church leaders is to help nurture a truly welcoming community… To be that kind of church is to live life that really is courageous.
When we live this life, we are guided by our hopes more than our fears. When we live this life, we love and pray for our enemies, whether personal, professional, or political — accepting what is perhaps the most difficult invitation of Jesus (Matt. 5:43–48). When we live this life, we are courageous enough to admit that much of the time we fail to be our best selves and our best community.
So what is Christian stewardship? It is simply our courageous attempt, having experienced the generosity and hospitality of the God we know in Jesus, to live a life that reflects that generosity, the life that really is life.”
Hermann Weinlick in “Reflecting Courageously” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewardship in Your Congregation, volume 20 (Richmond: EMS, 2018) 4-5.
Many phrases in Weinlick’s article struck me this morning in the peacefulness of my Cairo hotel room, juxtaposed against the noise of traffic that fills the air outside. I loved the famous quote from Barclay, “not that wealth is a sin, but that wealth is a very great responsibility.” Specifically three phrases help us unpack the implications of this idea.
Firstly, “people today desperately want and seek community, but their experience tells them it is hard to find.” I concur with Weinlick that our church leaders must be community builders who help people live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in community. We don’t have to make the gospel attractive, it is attractive, but only when lived out in community.
Secondly, “when we live this life, we are guided by our hopes more than our fears.” Notice how we allow our fears to guide us. The Christian life is freedom from slavery to fear and offers the hope the world seeks. So many people around the world feel like life has no hope. In Christ, we have hope! We must celebrate this courageously community.
Thirdly, “much of the time we fail to be our best selves and our best community.” So what should we do about it? We only figure it out as we live it out. Only as we enjoy and share God’s blessings to we take hold of the life that’s truly life. Whatever we hold back stores up fear. Whatever we share creates courageous communities of hope.
Sophie and I have been surprised by hope. I am not referring to the C.S. Lewis classic book by that title. I am referring to friendships with staff from Kasr El Dobara Evangelical church, the largest evangelical Christian church in Cairo and the Middle East. It’s beacon of hope. Like our meeting place this week (pictured above), KDEC, is an oasis in the desert.
Most striking is how this church became so prominent. During the Egyptian revolution of 2011, they opened their church doors to minister to anyone who had been shot or injured. Notice their theme verse, Acts 4:30, on their English website. “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
KDEC is a courageous community of hope and a great example for all other churches around the world!