West Main

TURNING TAKERS INTO GIVERS

Is it possible to change a covetous man who is consumed with taking from others - into a compassionate giver? Jesus did. What can cause this metamorphous?

In raising this question we are not asking about the super rich who sometimes are prompted to turn to benevolence in their old age. Jesus called attention to rich men who were tossing coins into the temple treasury out of their surplus, in contrast to a poor widow who gave out of her need. Rather, we have in mind the radical change of a hardened taker, for whom the need of others is the last thing on his mind.

Consider the tax collectors mentioned in the life of our Lord on earth. Had I lived in that day, I doubt that I would have chosen to keep company with them as our Lord did. They had taken sides with the enemy, their Roman conquerors, and extracted taxes from their own people. No wonder they were despised. Yet Jesus seemed to specialize in them in his outreach.

In the case of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Luke 19, the word seems to have gotten around of Jesus’ interest in men like him. In his eagerness, he climbed a tree to see Jesus as he was passing his way. When Jesus offered to go home with him, this despised man was moved to the point of repentance. He declared that he would henceforth give away half of his possessions and right the wrongs in his past. Love cannot only cover a multitude of sins, it can also turn a man away from sin. In this case, it turned a taker into a radical giver.

Matthew, another tax collector, recognized Jesus as a greater treasure than what he had been pursuing in his life. When Jesus entered Matthew’s home for dinner, many other tax collectors and dubious characters also showed up to eat as well. Jesus had seen Matthew as a man who could be changed. He became one of Jesus’ disciples. In him, another case is made for acceptance and love.

Jesus’ apostles learned from him about turning takers into givers. Paul writes about thieves who had become believers in Christ. He charged them to turn from taking from others to working for wages so they would be able to give to the needy. Radical turnarounds like that are possible – even for thieves.

The training of early Gentile Christians is another example, found in II Corinthians 8 & 9. There are some sixteen reasons in those chapters for being a giver. Although many today resort to the Mosaic law of tithing as a motivation, tithing is not to be found in that list. We now have a higher calling in Christ – that of sharing our lives and goods.

– James Gibbs

Prayer Circle  --  Please come join us each Wednesday Evening as we gather together in prayer for one another and the Lord’s church at West Main. We meet in the auditorium from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to pray, read scripture, sing and encourage one another. The prayer circle is for anyone of any age. The Prayer Circle is facilitated by one of our elders every week.

Prime Timers Valentine’s Day Potluck  -- Prime Timers - You are invited to a Valentine’s Day potluck luncheon on Wednesday, February 11^th, at noon in the Fireside Room. If you would like to share a wedding photo, please bring it.   Please bring lots of your favorite potluck dish to share and come join the fun and festivities. Contact Darold Hutsell if you have any questions.

VBS Meeting  --  Sunday, February 15, 2:00 p.m.  Anyone interested in teaching, helping with crafts, helping in the kitchen or in some other capacity, please be at this meeting.  Contact Denise Beeks with any questions.

Our Mexico Dinner and Auction will be held on Saturday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. This year’s project will focus on rebuilding the camp kitchen and men’s restroom facilities which are being torn down to make way for a road. If you have items to donate for the auction, please contact Valda Newton.