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“But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”—Luke 12:48 NLT  

There is an old story about St. Thomas Aquinas standing beside the Pope before the gates of St. Peter’s and watching the empire’s wealth pour into the Church’s treasury. The Pope proclaimed, “Gone are the days when the Church must say, silver and gold have I none.” Thomas Aquinas replied, “Alas, gone too are the days when the Church can say, but what I have I give to you, arise, take up your bed and walk.”

It is evident from all the Easter pictures that flooded Facebook this week that we are a people that have great possessions. We worship our God in beautiful sanctuaries filled with images of His greatness and the faithfulness of those saints that have gone before us. John Wesley counseled his people to earn all they could, save all they could, and then give all they could. He urged us to be a movement that would never be satisfied with the status quo or become entrapped by customs and styles. We are called to be and do more for the cause of Christ.

We have been called to use our possessions but not trust in them. Wealth is an excellent servant but can become a ruthless taskmaster if we are not careful. The love of wealth has destroyed more dreamers and prophets than any other weapon our enemy uses against us. We must not allow the treasurers that the world offers us to distract us from our calling as a follower of the way. Easter reminds us of God’s power and love for us and that the task ahead will require a great sacrifice from each of us. Let us use all that we have been given and do more for the work of the Kingdom!

Journeying Together,

John

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