American
Baptists of the Central region gathered this past weekend for our annual
meeting. Budgetary discussions were
front and center as we reflected on the giving patterns needed to sustain our
common mission and ministry.
In Christian
circles we hear a great deal about “abundance” and “scarcity,” especially as we
consider the new horizons of missional work.
Of course, it takes resources—our hearts, our hands, and our funds to
engage these open doors. Disciples of
Jesus are learning to be more creative and entrepreneurial as they find ways to
provide funding for their calling.
One of the
sharpest exchanges about money is between Jesus and “the rich young ruler,” as
he is called. Mark 10:17-31 narrates an
encounter that could have reoriented his whole life, but his wealth proved to
be a stumbling block rather than the means of abundant life.
Faithful to
the law and keeping all the commandments, he lacked the willingness to alter
his life for the sake of the poor.
Shocked at Jesus’ forthright statement about where he located his
treasure, “he went away grieving, for he had many possessions” (v. 22).
Jesus then
warned his followers about the hindrance of wealth to full participation in the
Reign of God. Seemingly never far from
his mind and regularly a topic for parables, Jesus focused on money and
possessions as a key factor in discipleship.
It is a key factor for present day disciples, also. If we think wealth can secure our
lives—rather than trust in the living God—we have no “treasure in heaven.”
Where we
locate our treasure makes all the difference.
Luther warned his parishioners, “Possessions belong in your hands, not
in your heart.” He advised that setting
our hearts on wealth could be like the “life of swine”; the strongest hog
naturally gets his way at the trough, trampling over all others. Until the 16th century, the
accumulation of private wealth was considered, for Christians, dangerous to the
soul.
Our school
is grateful for persons of wealth who are generous in funding our mission;
their treasure is a living legacy of investing in ministry preparation. We know that in a time when denominational
resources are growing scarcer, individuals and foundations sustain our work in
theological education. Generosity evokes
generosity, and these who are sowing their resources into the seminary (“seed
bed”) called Central are allocating their treasure now—and eternally.
Molly T. Marshall
To learn more about Central as a formative, creative, and
progressive seminary, please visit our website at www.cbts.edu
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