Pastor Tom's Community

In Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, Jesus has a boat at his disposal. That is a resource that someone has provided for the ministry. We are looking at a Christian perspective on responsible and redemptive use of wealth, riches, resources, money, and material goods.

It is "put up or shut up" time for the church in terms of its specific calling to care for creation, the poor, and ou own limited resources. This goes beyond any political leanings or motivation because the arenas of responsibility, concern and perspective are different. The body politic must function reasonably, responsibly, and radically.

We follow orders. Our orders give us no option to turn our backs on the cries of hurting people. We can debate the best methodologies, but we cannot deny the calling. If we possess great wealth or are gifted to create it, that is a stewardship to God and others.

How do we use the boat that is at our disposal for God's purposes?

It is not a tug-of-war between presenting the gospel of God's Kingdom and "social" ministry. The threads are so intertwined that they cannot be unraveled. Luke 4:18-19 remains the mandate of Jesus and all who follow. It is spiritual and material. Incarnation implies involvement.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

(NIV)