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Dear Easter People,

ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN! …”

There’s a saying, “There are two sides to every coin.” We say this when there’s a situation with two outcomes – one’s good … the other bad. The outcome depends on your point of view. For example, we just went through winter. It was cold, but not extremely so. On one side of the coin, my utility bill wasn’t too high. On the other side, it’ll be a lot “buggier” than I’d like this summer.

In the stories of the Rich Ruler and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, we see two sides of the coin of wealth and entering the kingdom of God. We learn how to use the gift of wealth received from God, at any level, in His kingdom.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. Along the way, He meets two rich men.

The first is the Rich Ruler. He’s self-assured and confident he’s among the people of God. He’s got blessings aplenty … power, prestige, wealth, and possessions. Plus, he’s a generally good guy. To him, his abundance is a sure sign he’s one of God’s people. To validate his opinion, he asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) First, Jesus tells him he needs to know, and by extension, do the commandments (Luke 18:20). The Ruler is relieved because he’s done all these things. Then Jesus says, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22) The Ruler has extreme wealth … he went away sad because he couldn’t find it in his heart to trust God enough to let loose of his wealth … the source of his worldly security. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25)

On the flip side of the same coin is the man Jesus meets further down the road, Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. Zacchaeus is another rich man. But he was far from respected. Yet, he wanted to see Jesus as He approached. Suddenly Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name and tells him He’s coming to his house for dinner. Zacchaeus is so honored by Jesus’ presence immediately repents of his wicked ways saying, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19:8) Jesus let’s everyone know this rich man, who responds to God’s love by generously giving away vast sums of his fortune, has passed through the eye of the needle and entered into the kingdom of God.

As we think about the gifts of wealth God has given us, are we more like the Rich Ruler … holding tight to what we have for fear we won’t have enough? Or, are we more like the forgiven sinner Zacchaeus … recognizing all God has done for us and trusting He’ll continue to do more and then joyfully giving in proportion to how He’s already blessed us? I pray we can all be more like Zacchaeus.

“… HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!”

                                                          In the Love of our Risen Savior,

                                                          Pastor Jim