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Fall Theological Focus:
Our True Security
Written by Reverend J. Philip Letizia, Ph.D.
This week in our Fall Theological Focus, we are thinking about security. What often comes to mind with security are things like: national security, security guards, TSA, online security, and personal home security systems. All of these things in their own way address the same theme. There is something precious and worthwhile that needs to be protected from being threatened or taken away. All of the above examples of security address potential threats, and the need to protect oneself or one’s business, or even a nation. When we consider our spiritual lives, how does security play a role? And, what does this have to do with generosity and stewardship?
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus shared a parable with the crowd. He tells the story of a “rich fool,” who has so much grain he continues to build bigger and bigger storehouses. Because of his success and wealth, he becomes comfortable and commits himself to ease and leisure. What the rich fool doesn’t know, is that his own life will be lost that very night. In the end, his wealth and storehouses could not guarantee his security from the threat of death.
In theory, many Christians recognize that money can’t buy happiness or buy security from all of life’s threats. But, as Jacob Needleman has said, “Having lots of money can be like a drug. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It can convince you that everything is going to be okay.” The reality however, is that no amount of money can provide security against all of life’s threats. It cannot keep disease away. It cannot keep tragedy at bay. And most importantly, it cannot spiritually save, nor bring us into a thriving relationship with God.
How are we to think about security in terms of our life with God then? In week 1 of our theological focus, we discussed how God owns all of creation. Which means, he also owns us. We have been bought by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and we are now his children. Because this is true, we believe wholeheartedly that God will provide everything we need. We need not worry or fret over our food or clothing, our shelter, or what we think we need in order to thrive. God will provide.
In the middle of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, he spends a good deal of time speaking directly about wealth, money, and our pursuit of treasure. Jesus says:
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
If we recognize that “treasures on earth” represent wealth, possessions, leisure, or resources, then what exactly are “treasures in heaven?” The answer might be found back in the parable of the Rich Fool we spoke of earlier. In Luke 12, the parable ends this way:
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)
To store up treasures in heaven is to become rich in God. We never want to say that it is wrong to become rich towards wealth, or time, or resources. But if those things are providing our ultimate security in life, they will fail to provide. Jesus tells us that where our heart goes, our treasure goes. Therefore, if our hearts are increasingly moving towards God, we are becoming rich in God. What is our true security then? It is day in, and day out, trusting in God’s care for you as his child. This allows us to not hold on so tightly to our earthly treasures, or see them as ways to provide ultimately security for us in this life. Instead, we can begin to think differently about our treasures on earth, because we know we are growing rich towards God by storing up treasure in heaven.
This week, take some time to reflect on the question of what becoming “rich in God” might look like for you. How does your lifestyle reflect this?
In Faith,
Phil Letizia
Associate Pastor
Park Road Presbyterian Church
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