Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
“The pastor must not be afraid of those who have great wealth but address them with candor and care for their souls, bringing them into the concrete awareness of their opportunities for works of mercy.”
Thomas C. Oden in First and Second Timothy and Titus: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: WJKP, 1989) 104.
I return home tonight from IBR/SBL. My brain is full. While most of the sessions have been purely academic, some have contained a pastoral side with liturgy, reminding me why we do further study: to pastor or shepherd souls.
Oden has that skill in his writing. Here he coaches us to use “candor and care” in addressing the wealthy. We must not be intimidated by them, but bring them into “concrete awareness of their opportunities for works of mercy.” For examples, this could mean coaching them in navigating challenges with difficult people at work or inviting them on to minister to broken and hurting people with you.
Speaking of writing, my scholarly book is on sale this week at the conference for $29.70 (regularly $49.50): Wealth in Ancient Ephesus and the First Letter to Timothy. Click on the title or visit the Eisenbrauns website and type “Hoag” in the search bar to purchase a copy for yourself and/or the pastor in your life.