Rejoice in God's goodness and render thanks for all his blessings
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: Rejoice in God's goodness and render thanks for all his blessings.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
The first part of this chapter (vv. 1--17) is the traditional text for Ash Wednesday. These verses call the people to a solemn assembly so that they might repent of their sins and plead for Yahweh's mercy. This action is ordered because of a devastating invasion of locusts. Our lection for Thanksgiving follows the call to repentance with a message of hope and restoration. God will restore the land to fertility; the earth will yield its increase and the people of God will give thanks for all his blessings. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt so wondrously with you" (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
Paul urges that prayers and supplications be offered for all people and especially for those who are in positions of political authority, so that the believers might live peaceful lives. Such intercessions are pleasing to God, who desires all people to embrace the truth of the gospel. His hope for universal salvation is solidly based on embracing the particularity of the Christ event. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all" (vv. 5--6a). Paul adds that this is his express function and calling as an apostle.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
In Jesus' teaching from the Beatitudes Jesus warns against trusting in worldly wealth and not worrying about food, clothing, and shelter. There are more important realities than material needs. If God takes care of his creatures in the natural world, will he not take much more care of those who are created in his image? If we make God's will our first priority, God will give us everything else we need to live.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 126 - "May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy" (v. 5).
Prayer Of The Day
God of grace, may we so trust in your bounteous goodness that we are freed from worldly anxiety and the clutch of things material. We render joyous thanks for all your wonderful and loving gifts, especially Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
Do not fear (vv. 21--22). The soil and the animals are told not to fear because the Lord was going to bless them with fertility. This resonates with the Gospel when Jesus warns us not to worry about physical needs but to trust in the Lord. Trust in God's providence "and rejoice in the Lord your God" (v. 23).
I will repay you (v. 25). God promises to repay his people for that which was taken away by the locust plague and drought. Joel seems to suggest that though the Lord might withhold from his people for a time in order to wake them up, his ultimate will is to do good to his own. God will more than compensate for that which he permits to be taken away.
You shall be satisfied (v. 26). This passage refers to the satisfaction of our physical hunger, but I think that it implies more. There is more to being truly satisfied than having our stomachs full. Being satisfied has a strong spiritual component to it. Being satisfied goes beyond the idea that God wills to prosper his people with an increasing abundance of material things. Being satisfied may mean getting by with less, simplifying our tastes, and lowering the level of our needs. More importantly, being satisfied has more to do with the source of our satisfaction than anything else. The spiritually mature find satisfaction in the Lord rather than in the gifts that fall from his hands.
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
First things. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone..." (v. 1). The first business of the Church is to engage in a serious ministry of prayer, not only for the sake of the Church but for the world. In the congregation that I serve, we lift up many people by name every Sunday during worship. The Prayers of the Church may run three or four minutes, for which we are regularly criticized by some people. "The prayers are too long!" they complain. It seems that they have lost sight of the first things of the faith.
Thanksgiving. Have we forgotten that thanksgiving is prayer, too? In fact, it could be considered the purest form of prayer, because the person uttering thanksgivings seeks not to get but to give. Indeed, thanksgiving expresses the spirit in which all other forms of prayer are to be offered. In our congregation, we also pray for all the members of the church on a rotational basis. Two or three days before they are scheduled to be prayed for, we call and ask what particular prayers they would like us to raise on their behalf. In only a small percentage of the cases does the person ask us to thank God on his behalf for blessings received.
Prayer for the salvation of the world. "This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (vv. 3--4). God desires that everyone be saved, but that doesn't mean that everyone will be saved. Many churches pray for the sick, the grieving, and the like, but few find time to pray specifically for the salvation of other people, that they might come to personally know and experience the truth that is Jesus.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
Don't worry, be holy. Several years ago, there was a song on the airwaves called: "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" Jesus has better advice; he tells us, "Don't worry; be holy." Jesus teaches that we shouldn't worry about food, shelter, or clothing, but to "seek first the kingdom of God..." (v. 34), and the Lord will supply what is lacking. Worshipping the Lord (being holy) will enable us to live life fully in all its dimensions.
Strive for the prize. Jesus teaches that we shouldn't major on minors - food, clothing, shelter, and the like. Rather, we should go for the prize - the kingdom of God (v. 33).
The futility of worry. "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (v. 27). Worry is an exercise in futility; nothing is accomplished thereby. Not only does worry not add to the span of our lives, but it also takes away. First of all, worry may physically shorten our lives. Secondly, worry deprives us of living fully in the present because it distracts us from more creative expressions. Jesus urges us to turn from the futility of worry to faith in the goodness of God.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
Sermon Title: Praise The God Of Fruitfulness
Sermon Angle: Earlier in this chapter, Joel calls the people to national repentance to avert or lessen the destructive locust armies. In this lection, the prophet calls his people to thank and praise the Lord for restoring the fertility of the land and for abundantly feeding his people. It was time to rejoice in God's blessings. "O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God..." (v. 21). The Lord comes both in judgment and in blessing. Both of these ways that the Lord comes to us call for an appropriate response. Judgment should lead to repentance, and blessings rendered should result in praise and thanksgiving to the God of all fruitfulness.
Outline:
1. God comes to his people in both judgment and bounty.
2. God's ultimate will is to bless his people with good things (v. 25). He is the God of fruitfulness.
3. Rejoice in God's goodness and praise his name (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
Sermon Title: The Church's First Order Of Business
Sermon Angle: Much of the Christian Church languishes because we have lost sight of that which is of prime importance. We have fallen prey to various interest groups, on both the left and the right, that seek to place their pet causes at the forefront. Some would have social justice be the first order, while others would put forward the proclamation of the gospel. Both of the above are critical elements of our mission, but something else comes first. Paul puts it this way: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers and intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people ..." (v. 1). Before we do anything, we are called to engage in the priestly ministry of prayer. Paul asserts that we must pray for all people and especially those in leadership positions. Unless we are filled with God's Spirit and with the knowledge of his will, we will not realize our mission.
Outline:
1. This letter was addressed to a church that was splitting into factions, much like today.
2. The apostle lifts up that which is foundational for the Church - prayer (vv. 1--4).
3. Prayer unites us as we reach out to the one God and Mediator (v. 5).
4. Are we making prayer the first order of our personal and communal life?
Sermon Title: Eucharist
Sermon Angle: Four different words are utilized in lifting up the importance of prayer. The first of these is deesis, translated "supplication" in the NRSV, but it literally means "request." The second word is proseuche, translated "prayers," which is a literal rending of the word. Deesis can be employed in reference to requests of humans as well as God but proseuche has only a divine object. The third word is enteuxis, translated as "intercessions," but it literally means "petition." The fourth word for prayer is eucharistia, which literally rendered means "thanksgiving." When we speak of prayer, the first association is that of asking God for something. The heart and soul of prayer is thanksgiving because instead of seeking something from God, it returns something of great value, a grateful heart, to God. During this season of national thanksgiving, we most commonly render thanks for the gifts of creation - food, family, friends, and so forth. This text directs us to give thanks also for the greatest gift of all - salvation through Christ. We need to render thanks that we have a gracious God, who desires all people to come to the knowledge of his love and grace. The best way that we can show our thanks to God is by sharing the gift of his Son.
Outline:
1. The Church has been given a ministry of prayer.
2. We are a eucharistic community - our worship and our lives are to be a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise.
3. Let us remember to give thanks not only for the gifts of creation, but also for the gift of salvation.
4. Thank the Lord by sharing Jesus with a neighbor.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
Sermon Title: Put God In The Driver's Seat
Sermon Angle: One of the national bus companies had this advertising motto: "Leave the driving to us." The inference is that when you travel with them, you can relax and let go of your worries because someone trustworthy inhabits the driver's seat. Jesus is endeavoring to teach us this same truth. Don't worry about what you are going to eat or drink or wear. God knows what you need; the Lord is in the driver's seat. Just trust him!
Outline:
1. Is your life filled with anxiety about your job? Do you worry that you might lose the ability to provide for your needs and those of your family? Do you worry about running off the road of life?
2. Jesus enjoins us to put God in the driver's seat. "Seek first the kingdom of God...."
3. If God provides for the birds and the fields, will he not provide for all your needs?
4. Life is more than material needs; it is a journey of faith that leads to eternal life.
Sermon Title: Spandex For The Spirit
Sermon Angle: Jesus asks: "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (v. 27b). Worry not only does not expand the length of our lives, it can actually decrease the breadth of our existence. Worry and anxiety block all creative and life--enhancing responses. Worry makes us brittle, subject to breaking. On the other hand, the faith in God which Jesus commends expands both the breadth and depth of our existence. Faith is like the fabric spandex, so popular in sporting circles because it clothes while offering flexibility for movement and expansion. Faith allow us to extend the span of our existence by enveloping us in the eternal. We have room both to exercise and to grow. We cannot extend the span of our lives through worrying, but we can through faith in God. Faith is the spandex for the spirit; it clothes us and gives us shape, while providing flexibility for growth and movement.
Outline:
1. Many people are anxious about death and try to extend the length of their lives (i.e., the exercise and health food craze).
2. Many people wear spandex as they exercise because it adjusts to the movement and activity of the body.
3. Jesus warns against worry because it makes us weak and brittle (we cannot increase the span of our lives through worry) (v. 27).
4. Jesus commends us to trust in God, to exercise our faith in God first of all (v. 33).
5. Faith is the spandex for the soul (it clothes us as we develop in righteousness).
__________
We call our national day of gratitude "Thanksgiving." Unfortunately, we have transformed thanks--giving into thanks--feeling. We think that if we feel grateful in our hearts, we have done all that is necessary. This is not so. Returning thanks must be expressed through giving. An example of thanks--giving is incarnated through the efforts of the Mennonites of York, Nebraska. A crew of about sixty volunteers labors at canning meat and broth from dawn to dusk during the week after Thanksgiving. In 1995, two--pound cans of Nebraska beef and broth were shipped to Bosnia, Serbia, Cuba, Haiti, and other countries. Volunteers have donated $54,000 in cash, in addition to meat and hard labor. The effort resulted in 15,000 to 16,000 two--pound cans of beef chunks and two--pound cans of broth. These Mennonites have discovered that gratitude is not just what you feel but tangible thanks that you give to God through others.
__________
A Money magazine article told of the life of a woman who saved eighty percent of everything that she earned, investing it all in the stock market, and turned it into a $22 million fortune fifty years later. The article is titled "How She Turned $5,000 into $22 Million" with the subtitle, "And how you might too...." As one reads the article, however, it raises real questions about how this woman, Anne Scheiber, made her fortune and whether the cost was worth it. She was alienated from her family and was without friends. She eked out a life of penury, even as her fortune swelled. She would walk to work in the rain rather than spend the bus fare. She limited herself to a few dollars a week on groceries and wore the same old coat and hat season after season. Her clothing became tattered and threadbare but none of that mattered; the bottom line on her brokerage account was what she gave her life for.
The author of this article on how to invest your money even concluded that there must be more to life than the bottom line of your net worth statement. "As intelligent as Anne Scheiber was, she failed miserably on this one. She died without one real friend; she didn't get even one phone call during her last five years of life." Her broker concludes: "A big day for her was walking down to the Merrill Lynch vault near Wall Street to visit her stock certificates. She did that a lot."
The life of this poor woman is not the success story it might appear to be on the surface, even by the world's materialistic standards. Rather, it is a tragic illustration of a life driven by a misguided set of priorities. That is why Jesus taught that we shouldn't be worried about what we eat, drink, or wear. If we do as the Lord says and "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," we will inherit the true treasure and possess everything else that we require as well. If we possess God's kingdom, we have everything. That is the first and foremost reason to give thanks to God.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
The first part of this chapter (vv. 1--17) is the traditional text for Ash Wednesday. These verses call the people to a solemn assembly so that they might repent of their sins and plead for Yahweh's mercy. This action is ordered because of a devastating invasion of locusts. Our lection for Thanksgiving follows the call to repentance with a message of hope and restoration. God will restore the land to fertility; the earth will yield its increase and the people of God will give thanks for all his blessings. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt so wondrously with you" (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
Paul urges that prayers and supplications be offered for all people and especially for those who are in positions of political authority, so that the believers might live peaceful lives. Such intercessions are pleasing to God, who desires all people to embrace the truth of the gospel. His hope for universal salvation is solidly based on embracing the particularity of the Christ event. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all" (vv. 5--6a). Paul adds that this is his express function and calling as an apostle.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
In Jesus' teaching from the Beatitudes Jesus warns against trusting in worldly wealth and not worrying about food, clothing, and shelter. There are more important realities than material needs. If God takes care of his creatures in the natural world, will he not take much more care of those who are created in his image? If we make God's will our first priority, God will give us everything else we need to live.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 126 - "May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy" (v. 5).
Prayer Of The Day
God of grace, may we so trust in your bounteous goodness that we are freed from worldly anxiety and the clutch of things material. We render joyous thanks for all your wonderful and loving gifts, especially Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
Do not fear (vv. 21--22). The soil and the animals are told not to fear because the Lord was going to bless them with fertility. This resonates with the Gospel when Jesus warns us not to worry about physical needs but to trust in the Lord. Trust in God's providence "and rejoice in the Lord your God" (v. 23).
I will repay you (v. 25). God promises to repay his people for that which was taken away by the locust plague and drought. Joel seems to suggest that though the Lord might withhold from his people for a time in order to wake them up, his ultimate will is to do good to his own. God will more than compensate for that which he permits to be taken away.
You shall be satisfied (v. 26). This passage refers to the satisfaction of our physical hunger, but I think that it implies more. There is more to being truly satisfied than having our stomachs full. Being satisfied has a strong spiritual component to it. Being satisfied goes beyond the idea that God wills to prosper his people with an increasing abundance of material things. Being satisfied may mean getting by with less, simplifying our tastes, and lowering the level of our needs. More importantly, being satisfied has more to do with the source of our satisfaction than anything else. The spiritually mature find satisfaction in the Lord rather than in the gifts that fall from his hands.
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
First things. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone..." (v. 1). The first business of the Church is to engage in a serious ministry of prayer, not only for the sake of the Church but for the world. In the congregation that I serve, we lift up many people by name every Sunday during worship. The Prayers of the Church may run three or four minutes, for which we are regularly criticized by some people. "The prayers are too long!" they complain. It seems that they have lost sight of the first things of the faith.
Thanksgiving. Have we forgotten that thanksgiving is prayer, too? In fact, it could be considered the purest form of prayer, because the person uttering thanksgivings seeks not to get but to give. Indeed, thanksgiving expresses the spirit in which all other forms of prayer are to be offered. In our congregation, we also pray for all the members of the church on a rotational basis. Two or three days before they are scheduled to be prayed for, we call and ask what particular prayers they would like us to raise on their behalf. In only a small percentage of the cases does the person ask us to thank God on his behalf for blessings received.
Prayer for the salvation of the world. "This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (vv. 3--4). God desires that everyone be saved, but that doesn't mean that everyone will be saved. Many churches pray for the sick, the grieving, and the like, but few find time to pray specifically for the salvation of other people, that they might come to personally know and experience the truth that is Jesus.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
Don't worry, be holy. Several years ago, there was a song on the airwaves called: "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" Jesus has better advice; he tells us, "Don't worry; be holy." Jesus teaches that we shouldn't worry about food, shelter, or clothing, but to "seek first the kingdom of God..." (v. 34), and the Lord will supply what is lacking. Worshipping the Lord (being holy) will enable us to live life fully in all its dimensions.
Strive for the prize. Jesus teaches that we shouldn't major on minors - food, clothing, shelter, and the like. Rather, we should go for the prize - the kingdom of God (v. 33).
The futility of worry. "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (v. 27). Worry is an exercise in futility; nothing is accomplished thereby. Not only does worry not add to the span of our lives, but it also takes away. First of all, worry may physically shorten our lives. Secondly, worry deprives us of living fully in the present because it distracts us from more creative expressions. Jesus urges us to turn from the futility of worry to faith in the goodness of God.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Joel 2:21--27
Sermon Title: Praise The God Of Fruitfulness
Sermon Angle: Earlier in this chapter, Joel calls the people to national repentance to avert or lessen the destructive locust armies. In this lection, the prophet calls his people to thank and praise the Lord for restoring the fertility of the land and for abundantly feeding his people. It was time to rejoice in God's blessings. "O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God..." (v. 21). The Lord comes both in judgment and in blessing. Both of these ways that the Lord comes to us call for an appropriate response. Judgment should lead to repentance, and blessings rendered should result in praise and thanksgiving to the God of all fruitfulness.
Outline:
1. God comes to his people in both judgment and bounty.
2. God's ultimate will is to bless his people with good things (v. 25). He is the God of fruitfulness.
3. Rejoice in God's goodness and praise his name (v. 26).
Lesson 2: 1 Timothy 2:1--7
Sermon Title: The Church's First Order Of Business
Sermon Angle: Much of the Christian Church languishes because we have lost sight of that which is of prime importance. We have fallen prey to various interest groups, on both the left and the right, that seek to place their pet causes at the forefront. Some would have social justice be the first order, while others would put forward the proclamation of the gospel. Both of the above are critical elements of our mission, but something else comes first. Paul puts it this way: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers and intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people ..." (v. 1). Before we do anything, we are called to engage in the priestly ministry of prayer. Paul asserts that we must pray for all people and especially those in leadership positions. Unless we are filled with God's Spirit and with the knowledge of his will, we will not realize our mission.
Outline:
1. This letter was addressed to a church that was splitting into factions, much like today.
2. The apostle lifts up that which is foundational for the Church - prayer (vv. 1--4).
3. Prayer unites us as we reach out to the one God and Mediator (v. 5).
4. Are we making prayer the first order of our personal and communal life?
Sermon Title: Eucharist
Sermon Angle: Four different words are utilized in lifting up the importance of prayer. The first of these is deesis, translated "supplication" in the NRSV, but it literally means "request." The second word is proseuche, translated "prayers," which is a literal rending of the word. Deesis can be employed in reference to requests of humans as well as God but proseuche has only a divine object. The third word is enteuxis, translated as "intercessions," but it literally means "petition." The fourth word for prayer is eucharistia, which literally rendered means "thanksgiving." When we speak of prayer, the first association is that of asking God for something. The heart and soul of prayer is thanksgiving because instead of seeking something from God, it returns something of great value, a grateful heart, to God. During this season of national thanksgiving, we most commonly render thanks for the gifts of creation - food, family, friends, and so forth. This text directs us to give thanks also for the greatest gift of all - salvation through Christ. We need to render thanks that we have a gracious God, who desires all people to come to the knowledge of his love and grace. The best way that we can show our thanks to God is by sharing the gift of his Son.
Outline:
1. The Church has been given a ministry of prayer.
2. We are a eucharistic community - our worship and our lives are to be a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise.
3. Let us remember to give thanks not only for the gifts of creation, but also for the gift of salvation.
4. Thank the Lord by sharing Jesus with a neighbor.
Gospel: Matthew 6:25--33
Sermon Title: Put God In The Driver's Seat
Sermon Angle: One of the national bus companies had this advertising motto: "Leave the driving to us." The inference is that when you travel with them, you can relax and let go of your worries because someone trustworthy inhabits the driver's seat. Jesus is endeavoring to teach us this same truth. Don't worry about what you are going to eat or drink or wear. God knows what you need; the Lord is in the driver's seat. Just trust him!
Outline:
1. Is your life filled with anxiety about your job? Do you worry that you might lose the ability to provide for your needs and those of your family? Do you worry about running off the road of life?
2. Jesus enjoins us to put God in the driver's seat. "Seek first the kingdom of God...."
3. If God provides for the birds and the fields, will he not provide for all your needs?
4. Life is more than material needs; it is a journey of faith that leads to eternal life.
Sermon Title: Spandex For The Spirit
Sermon Angle: Jesus asks: "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (v. 27b). Worry not only does not expand the length of our lives, it can actually decrease the breadth of our existence. Worry and anxiety block all creative and life--enhancing responses. Worry makes us brittle, subject to breaking. On the other hand, the faith in God which Jesus commends expands both the breadth and depth of our existence. Faith is like the fabric spandex, so popular in sporting circles because it clothes while offering flexibility for movement and expansion. Faith allow us to extend the span of our existence by enveloping us in the eternal. We have room both to exercise and to grow. We cannot extend the span of our lives through worrying, but we can through faith in God. Faith is the spandex for the spirit; it clothes us and gives us shape, while providing flexibility for growth and movement.
Outline:
1. Many people are anxious about death and try to extend the length of their lives (i.e., the exercise and health food craze).
2. Many people wear spandex as they exercise because it adjusts to the movement and activity of the body.
3. Jesus warns against worry because it makes us weak and brittle (we cannot increase the span of our lives through worry) (v. 27).
4. Jesus commends us to trust in God, to exercise our faith in God first of all (v. 33).
5. Faith is the spandex for the soul (it clothes us as we develop in righteousness).
__________
We call our national day of gratitude "Thanksgiving." Unfortunately, we have transformed thanks--giving into thanks--feeling. We think that if we feel grateful in our hearts, we have done all that is necessary. This is not so. Returning thanks must be expressed through giving. An example of thanks--giving is incarnated through the efforts of the Mennonites of York, Nebraska. A crew of about sixty volunteers labors at canning meat and broth from dawn to dusk during the week after Thanksgiving. In 1995, two--pound cans of Nebraska beef and broth were shipped to Bosnia, Serbia, Cuba, Haiti, and other countries. Volunteers have donated $54,000 in cash, in addition to meat and hard labor. The effort resulted in 15,000 to 16,000 two--pound cans of beef chunks and two--pound cans of broth. These Mennonites have discovered that gratitude is not just what you feel but tangible thanks that you give to God through others.
__________
A Money magazine article told of the life of a woman who saved eighty percent of everything that she earned, investing it all in the stock market, and turned it into a $22 million fortune fifty years later. The article is titled "How She Turned $5,000 into $22 Million" with the subtitle, "And how you might too...." As one reads the article, however, it raises real questions about how this woman, Anne Scheiber, made her fortune and whether the cost was worth it. She was alienated from her family and was without friends. She eked out a life of penury, even as her fortune swelled. She would walk to work in the rain rather than spend the bus fare. She limited herself to a few dollars a week on groceries and wore the same old coat and hat season after season. Her clothing became tattered and threadbare but none of that mattered; the bottom line on her brokerage account was what she gave her life for.
The author of this article on how to invest your money even concluded that there must be more to life than the bottom line of your net worth statement. "As intelligent as Anne Scheiber was, she failed miserably on this one. She died without one real friend; she didn't get even one phone call during her last five years of life." Her broker concludes: "A big day for her was walking down to the Merrill Lynch vault near Wall Street to visit her stock certificates. She did that a lot."
The life of this poor woman is not the success story it might appear to be on the surface, even by the world's materialistic standards. Rather, it is a tragic illustration of a life driven by a misguided set of priorities. That is why Jesus taught that we shouldn't be worried about what we eat, drink, or wear. If we do as the Lord says and "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," we will inherit the true treasure and possess everything else that we require as well. If we possess God's kingdom, we have everything. That is the first and foremost reason to give thanks to God.
