-Reflections from Ron Haskins

When Mark wrote (4:19) that the "deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things . . . choke the word" and render it "unfruitful," he could not have known the McMansions, luxury cars, expensive clothing, elaborate vacations, and other items too numerous to mention that would surround Christians in America in the 21st century. If riches and desires were a threat to the word in Biblical times, how much more so must they be in a world overrun by wealth and material possessions undreamed of by Mark.

Opinions vary about how best to overcome the temptations of these vast riches. Certainly the injunction to cast away all material possessions in the pursuit of Christian life will not tempt many Christians, including those in our parish. But neither will ignoring the needs of the church and of the disadvantaged tempt many of us. Most of us will find a middle ground that requires us to share some portion of our treasure with St. James' and other worthy causes. Indeed, research shows that Americans are the most generous people on earth and that those motivated by religious conviction are the most generous Americans. Previous experience with stewardship at St. James' would undoubtedly show that our parish achieves a level of giving considerably above the generous level set by most other American motivated by Christian principles.

In the end, all of us will come to a compromise - not permanent but good for a time - that matches our current circumstances with our ability to give. Some of us will tithe, but many more will try to move their giving in the direction of achieving the tithe - the true standard of excellence for Christian giving.

According to Luke (12:15,23,34), Jesus has advice to us as we reach our individual and unique stewardship compromises:

And He said to them, "Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does life consist of his possessions. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."