Greed noun \gred\

greed noun \ˈgrēd\

• the selfish desire to have more of something
• placing the love of things above the love of God and neighbor

Synonyms

• avarice
• covetousness
• craving
• stinginess

Antonyms

• contentment
• generosity
• happiness
• thankfulness

Holy Scripture

• A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. [Proverbs 28:25]
• “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [Luke 12:15]
• I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of … greed … not even to eat with such a one. [1 Corinthians 5:11]
• I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [Philippians 4:11]
• Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: … covetousness, which is idolatry. [Colossians 3:5]
• Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [1 Timothy 6:6-8]
• Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

Prayer

• Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #195 Against the Love of Money]

Pride noun \prid\

pride noun \ˈprīd\

• the selfish belief that you are more important or better than other people
• an exaggerated opinion of oneself
• the root of all sins

Synonyms

• arrogance
• conceit
• haughtiness
• smugness

Antonyms

• gentleness
• humility
• meekness
• restraint

Holy Scripture

• Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. [Proverbs 8:13b]
• Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18]
• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matthew 23:12]
• “From within, out of the heart of man, come … pride … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
• For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment. [Romans 12:3a]
• Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant, [1 Corinthians 13:4]
• Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [Philippians 2:3]
• People will be lovers of self, … proud, arrogant, … Avoid such people. [2 Timothy 3:2-5]
• “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” … As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. [James 4:6, 16]
• Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, … Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you. [1 Peter 5:5-6]

Prayer

• O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #216 For Humility]

Congregational Christmas Letter

Dearest children of the Heavenly Father:

Each week another candle on the Advent wreath is lighted, telling us that Christmas is nearer. Christmas is the Father giving us sinners the greatest gift of all: Emmanuel. And where there is Jesus, there is hope, peace, joy, and love. The four candles on the Advent wreath, each representing one aspect of our new life in Christ, remind us of this:

Hope

“Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles; in Him will the Gentiles hope.” [Romans 15:12]

Peace

“You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel, … and He shall be their peace.” [Micah 5:2-5]

Joy

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” [Luke 2:10-11]

Love

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16]

In the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ, we live together as brothers and sisters. As God’s family. Rejoicing in each other’s joys. Sharing in each other’s sorrows. Carrying each other’s burdens. Praying for one another. Forgiving one another. Encouraging one another. Building one another up. As the body of Christ, we can do no less.

Whoever you are, whatever your past, whatever temptations and sins afflict you, whatever doubts have plagued you, whatever trials and tribulations might overwhelm you, you have a Savior who came to bring you hope, peace, joy, and love. For you He was born. For you He was baptized. For you He lived. For you He suffered. For you He died. For you He rose again. For you He ascended. For you He sent His Holy Spirit. For you He established His Church. For you He gives gracious gifts in Word and Sacrament. For you He still intercedes. For you He is preparing a room in His Father’s house.

As Advent gives way to Christmas, so the four candles will give way to the Jesus candle in the center of the wreath. He is, after all, “the Light of the world” (John 8:12) who brings hope, peace, joy, and love to our troubled hearts and lives. Enlightened by “the true Light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9), “let your light shine before others”—this Christmas, in the New Year, and always—“so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

On behalf of Adam, Michael, Caleb, Zachary, Lori and myself, God’s peace and goodwill to you. Now and always!

In Christ, Pastor Mumme

Suicide with Dignity

Dignity. It’s the hot topic right now. Especially for those who want to exit this life on their own terms. It’s all rather confusing. We are supposed to mourn the suicide of Robin Williams but celebrate the suicide of Brittany Maynard. Why? Both ended their lives on their own terms. Why aren’t both of these suicides considered tragedies? We have suicide prevention hotlines on the one hand and doctor-assisted suicide on the other hand. If we really want to empower individuals to die on their own terms, why aren’t we passing out guns, knives, ropes, and cocktail drugs together with “how to” pamphlets? After all, her body... her choice! His body... his choice! That’s the mantra these days.

It’s bad enough that our culture has bought into the lie that suicide is dignified. It’s worse that many who profess to be Christian are doing the same thing. Here are a few examples of individuals in Holy Scripture who died on their own terms:

• Abimelech, rather than having others say that he died at the hands of a woman, died on his own terms—presumably with dignity—by having his armor-bearer thrust a sword through him. [Judges 9:52-54]
• King Saul, rather than dying at the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines who had wounded him, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by falling on his own sword. [1 Samuel 31:1-6]
• Ahithophel, rather than living with the disgrace that his counsel was not followed, set his house in order and died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [2 Samuel 17:23]
• Zimri, rather than being taken prisoner after he conspired and killed the king, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by burning himself along with the king’s house. [1 Kings 16:18]
• Judas, rather than living with the regret of betraying Jesus of Nazareth to the Jewish leaders for thirty silver coins, died on his own terms— presumably with dignity—by hanging himself. [Matthew 27:5]

What dignity. What a triumph that these brave men died on their own terms. What courageous examples for us to follow when our backs are up against the wall of discomfort.

Dress suicide up in a prom dress. Cover it in chocolate. Wrap a pink bow around it. Put a cute puppy in its arms. It’s still suicide. And it’s still tragic. So why are we celebrating it?

Let us do what we can as family, friends, and neighbors to care for those who are terminally ill, bring hope to those who are at the end of their rope, and comfort those whose future seems bleak. As Christians we have much to offer. We have a Savior who underwent suffering and death and then rose triumphantly on the Third Day that we would be partakers of His new life. Baptized into His death and resurrection and living from His gracious gifts, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. In life and in death. God, the author of life, will take us home on His timetable. And then there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more death. For the former things have passed away. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Congregational “Viability”

I recently read an article titled Revitalization: Abiding as the Declining Church on the LCMS Leader Blog webpage. Most of it was very well written and a good reminder to the Church at large. However, the following sentences troubled me:

Our natural tendency in revitalization is to focus on preserving the institution of the church. This shows itself in a congregation’s stubborn refusal to close its doors long after it has passed the point of viability. It shows all the more clearly when the surviving members are willing to exhaust the resources that could be used for a new ministry in order to prolong one that has effectively ended.

Is it possible for a congregation to be “stubborn”? Of course it is. Congregations are made up exclusively of sinners. That being said, stubbornness can be found in both small and large congregations, in both poor and rich congregations, in both declining rural or inner city and thriving suburban congregations.

My questions are these: How does the institution define “the point of viability” for a congregation? Why does the institution assume that “a new ministry” is better than an existing one? How can the institution say that an existing ministry “has effectively ended” if God’s Word continues to be preached faithfully and His Sacraments continue to be administered according to the Gospel in that place for the benefit of God’s saints?

Jesus promised, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Is a small congregation of 2 or 3 (even 20 or 30) less viable than a congregation where 2000 or 3000 are gathered in His name?

It seems the real issue at hand is “the resources that could be used” elsewhere—resources that the institution thinks it is better prepared to spend than the local saints who gave and are still giving of their firstfruits.

Perhaps it’s not stubbornness.

Perhaps it’s simply the desire to receive Christ’s gracious gifts from the font, pulpit, and altar consecrated for those very purposes by their forefathers.

Egyptian Papyrus

It was recently reported that a 1500-year-old ancient Egyptian papyrus was found (rolled up in an amulet) that contains a noteworthy Christian confession. Just as the early church fathers spoke often and highly of the Lord’s Supper, so does the confession of faith written on this papyrus:

Fear you all who rule over the earth. 

Know you nations and people that Christ is our God. 

For He spoke and they came into being, He commanded and they were created; He put everything under our feet and delivered us from the wish of our enemies. 

Our God prepared a sacred table in the desert for the people and gave manna of the new covenant to eat, the Lord’s immortal body and the blood of Christ poured for us in remission of sins.

Two Parables, Revisited

This past month I wrote a newsletter article on two of Jesus’ parables: the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46). Below is an excerpt from that article:

Over the years, I’ve heard many people explain these parables as follows. Jesus is the treasure hidden in the field. Jesus is the one pearl of great value. He is so valuable, so precious, so important that we should be willing to go and sell all to have Him. What’s the problem with such an interpretation? It’s not faithful to God’s Word.

A friend and brother in Christ asked me about the final two sentences. I’m glad he did, because I did not choose my words very wisely, nor did I communicate my thoughts as I should have. For that I apologize. I do believe one can explain these parables as described in the aforementioned paragraph and still be faithful to God’s Word.

Below is my revision of the aforementioned paragraph and what I should have stated from the start:

Over the years, I’ve heard many people explain these parables as follows. Jesus is the treasure hidden in the field. Jesus is the one pearl of great value. He is so valuable, so precious, so important that we should be willing to go and sell all to have Him. While such an interpretation is faithful to God’s Word, I believe there is an equally valid Christological interpretation that is worthy of our time and attention. For both parables beautifully teach us how much God values us and how much He gave up to win us back in Jesus Christ!

The late Rev. Professor Kurt Marquart (one of my favorite profs) often asked questions of us students such as, “How does this text extol Christ and His work for us?”

When I hear the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, Professor Marquart’s question comes to mind. How do these parables extol Christ and His work for us? While that isn’t the only question one can ask, it is a valid and central one. Examining the text, I believe a Christological interpretation of these parables is very appropriate. And I am not alone in this.

A Christological interpretation of these two parables is spelled out exegetically in Matthew 11:2–20:34, Concordia Commentary (St. Louis: CPH, 2010), 716-721. What’s more, below is a brief note from The Lutheran Study Bible for consideration as well:

“Difference interpretations of this short parable exist. One may naturally see the man as any man and the treasure as the kingdom of heaven that he discovers. However, a more Christological interpretation describes the field as the world, the treasure as you (the hearer), and the man as Christ, who gives up the glory of heaven to win you.” [The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, CPH, 2009), 1610]

How much does Christ value us? He gave up everything to purchase us from sin, death, and the devil. By God’s grace, we in faith value Christ and His kingdom above all else.