August 12, 2001

From the first reading today we learned about Abram and how he put his faith to God, "He believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness."

It is amazing how Abram believed and how he took steps forward and how he realized God’s response! We might have the same experience!

In the second reading we heard these words "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land- for he looked forward to the city, By faith he received power of procreation,- and many of his descendants died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them."

"By faith" is the key word in Christianity.

All of you have faith, I think you have a lot of Christian faith, you should just go ahead from there, take one more step forward from where you are in your life and your faith will have even more strength and power.

The opening of the Gospel for today says: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

I know you are afraid of many things, you are worrying, do not hide or make no secret of it, but put it into words and lift it up before our Lord. Trust his promise of the coming kingdom. He has prepared something for his little flock.

Do not be afraid and anxious.

It takes a lot of time and energy and joy.

Believe in God and in Jesus Christ.

Our Lord is powerful and merciful, he is more than willing to bless you and keep you.

Jesus said: Do not worry about your life, but look at the birds and consider the lilies, is not your life more and is not God much greater! Do not rely on your possessions, they can be stolen by thieves and destroyed by moths. Sell your possessions and give alms and safe riches in Heaven! You can bring nothing with you when you pass away. Then you have only what you have in Heaven.

Jesus is advising for the good life and the proper way of living.

If you want to have no worry, you are invited to trust in God and save your treasure in Heaven. The world to come!

How to save unfailing treasure in Heaven?

Today Jesus says, by giving to the poor and the needed ones!

From the Bible we learn that giving to the poor is considered as lending to the Lord which He will repay in full. (Proverbs 19,17)

The Jews used to consider alms as putting into a saving account.

The first Christian generation said; Do not purchase house or property but invest in widows and orphans. Our fellow human being means more than property and fellowship has greater value than money.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Jesus reminds us of the first and the greatest commandment; Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your fellow human being as yourself.

We cannot separate our relationship to God with our relationship to our possessions!

And we cannot separate our relationship to God with our relationship to our neighbor.

If we put our heart to money and property, this will be in conflict with our relationship to God.

Do not forget God and his kingdom!

Do not forget Heaven!

Do not forget your neighbor!

Do not forget the poor and the hungry!

At the end Jesus reminds us about His coming back.

Be ready!

Be alert!

Blessed are those whom the Lord finds alert when he comes.

It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Amen

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716