This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:4-11
“The prophet Jeremiah knew what it was to live in a world defined by loss. Jeremiah was born into a world of relative peace and stability for the Hebrew people. But this did not last. In his lifetime, Jeremiah saw his people, God’s people, fall from general well-being to destruction and the displacement of the Hebrew people in the Neo-Babylonian exile. Jeremiah and those around him know what it was to fall into fear and despair…
When you look at your financial realities and realize they are not sustainable, it can be scary. It might even cause a person to fall into fear and despair. Jeremiah’s words remind us that God does not want us to be motivated by fear. God has a dream for the world, for you and for me. God has a plan. God longs for the world to be made whole, which includes each of us living lives that are truly good.
To adjust one’s plans necessarily involves change. God does not want fear, despair, and harm for you. No. God wants what is good. God’s promise is always to be faithful, to be present. God promises never to abandon you. God wants you to look ahead with the courage and confidence that come with hope.”
Stephanie Dunn in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 94-95.
It was a great time of teaching with stewardship directors from across the country (pictured above). We reflected on Jeremiah together. Encouraging diligent stewardship in exile means we urge everyone to assess their stewardship, make bold, even faith-stretching changes.
Often, when we do this, over time, we experience the hope we longed for, the flourishing we dreamed of. But we could not imagine it in crisis. Encouraging congregations to live, give, serve, and love generously starts with realizing we are in exile.
Notice the text said to avoid deception. This mirrors the repeated warnings of Jesus. Our situation is only temporary. Lies abound around us. But our faithful and generous action now prepares us for our eternal home and inspires others to join us here and there.