Rabbi Daniel tells the story:
Once upon a time, a pair of 19th-century railroad laborers, Bill and Jeb, were laying track in the desolate wilderness of the American West. This is about the hardest work you can imagine, and the two were old-timers. They’d been laying track for decades. One day a surprise visit was made to the work site by no less a dignitary than the president of the railroad himself. While inspecting the work that was going on, the great and august man came upon our pair of dusty laborers. His eyes lit up.
“Well, hello, Jeb!” he said. “You old scoundrel!”
Jeb looked bashful at first, but then the railroad president threw his arms around the exhausted laborer. He asked about Jeb’s wife and family, shook his hand warmly, then finally moved along to complete the inspection.
Bill was amazed. “When did you ever know him?”
Jeb explained that thirty years earlier the two of them had worked together laying track. Needles to say, through the intervening years the other man had enjoyed greater success than had poor Jeb.
“So,” asked Bill, “what company were the two of your working for back then?”
“Well,” Jeb replied, “he was working for the railroad.”
“What do you mean ‘he was working for the railroad’? What about you? What were you working for?”
“Oh,” said Jeb, looking a bit wistful, “I was working for 50¢ a day.” (Buried Treasure, pp 117-118)
Do you know anyone like Jeb? Do you know anyone like the railroad president?
The word in Hebrew for work is AVoDaH. The word means “service”—from either the type of service you get in a restaurant to a worship service. The first and last letters of the root form of the word (ayin, or A, and dalet, or D) form the word for “witness”. Moreover, some of the other words beginning and ending with these letters are the words for “future” (ATiD), stand (AMaD), and bind (AKaD). Rabbi Daniel says:
Confused? Don’t be; another way to put what I’ve just explained is to say that witnessing ... is an activity that somehow forms the common spiritual link between four related themes: doing service or work (AVoDaH), being in the future (ATiD), standing up (AMaD), and binding (AKaD). (p 118)
A witness has to stand up in court. A witness gives binding testimony. How else are these words related?
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul says to the church in Rome:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. [i.e. service]
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
How do witnessing, serving, being in the future, standing up, and binding relate to these verses?
In your Christian walk, do you toil with no view towards the future (like Jeb) or do you serve the boss with a view towards the future (like the railroad president)?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Adding to Our Wealth
Q: According to the UK Guardian on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, the United States government ranked 1st in the world among countries pledging aid to Haiti. The $114 million pledged by the US was how much more than the 2nd place nation (United Kingdom)?
A: $85 million. In fact the U.S. government has pledged as much at the next 8 countries combined: U.K., Sweden, Brazil, France, Germany, China, Australia, and Denmark.
The U.S. government has pledged more aid than the World Bank and the United Nations combined. However, the aid by governments is dwarfed by the aid given by individuals and private organizations, which amounts to half of all the aid pledged to Haiti. (Surely a large fraction of the private aid is from Americans as well.)
Are we charitable because we are rich, or are we rich because we are charitable?
Rabbi Daniel says: America is one of the only countries in the world in which charitable contributions are tax deductible. Some people incorrectly assume that Americans are charitable because of the tax rule ... That tax rule is in place to conform to the wishes of American citizens who wish to act charitably and do not wish to be doubly taxed. Large numbers of Americans donate sums that are greater than the levels that would benefit their tax status. The truth is that Americans are in love with the act of giving money away to those who are in need. (Buried Treasure, p 112)
Do you agree, or disagree?
The root of the words rich and tenth is the same Hebrew word: ESeR. Rabbi Daniel concludes that the idea of wealth is linked to the concept of tithing. Speaking of salespeople, Rabbi Daniel says: In essence, they say to a potential employer, “You should hire me because you have nothing to lose. You will pay me only after I have made money for you. I will only take a percentage of what I bring in.” They are among the most important people who keep the wheels of our economy turning, and their magic is the commission system of payment. / The Lord’s language encourages us to view our own means of earning a living as a sort of “commission” arrangement with God. But He offers an incredible payback plan—a 90 percent commission! Instead of keeping only 10 percent of every dollar I produce, as happens when I work for most bosses, my heavenly Boss allows me to keep 90 percent of every dollar. The remaining 10 percent, however, must be passed on the Boss by giving it to His designated assignees: the poor and the needy. That is an authentically American way of viewing our charitable activities. We deserve no medals for giving away 10 percent of our money. It did not belong to us in the first place. We are just passing it through to its rightful owners. (Buried Treasure, pp 112-113)
How does this perspective change your attitude towards tithing and charitable giving?
You are familiar with the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Read it as translated by Eugene Peterson (Mark 6:30-44):
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper."
Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them."
They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?"
But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory."
That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish."
Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than 5,000 were at the supper.
Who do you identify with in this story? Why?
What do you think the disciples learned from this experience?
What is your journey in learning to give charitably?
These are tight financial times. How does giving generously fly in the face of common sense, and how do you counter those who say it’s foolish to give generously?
Do you have faith to live on a 90% commission?
Does the church have faith to live on a 90% commission?
What will you do with what you have learned tonight?
Rabbi Daniel says: One thing is sure. Americans have been blessed by their adherence to the strange mathematical model that decrees that if you have ten apples and give one to someone who has none, tomorrow you will have fifteen apples. Have you been missing that blessing? Begin today to give generously and wholeheartedly, and then watch what happens. (p 115)
A: $85 million. In fact the U.S. government has pledged as much at the next 8 countries combined: U.K., Sweden, Brazil, France, Germany, China, Australia, and Denmark.
The U.S. government has pledged more aid than the World Bank and the United Nations combined. However, the aid by governments is dwarfed by the aid given by individuals and private organizations, which amounts to half of all the aid pledged to Haiti. (Surely a large fraction of the private aid is from Americans as well.)
Are we charitable because we are rich, or are we rich because we are charitable?
Rabbi Daniel says: America is one of the only countries in the world in which charitable contributions are tax deductible. Some people incorrectly assume that Americans are charitable because of the tax rule ... That tax rule is in place to conform to the wishes of American citizens who wish to act charitably and do not wish to be doubly taxed. Large numbers of Americans donate sums that are greater than the levels that would benefit their tax status. The truth is that Americans are in love with the act of giving money away to those who are in need. (Buried Treasure, p 112)
Do you agree, or disagree?
The root of the words rich and tenth is the same Hebrew word: ESeR. Rabbi Daniel concludes that the idea of wealth is linked to the concept of tithing. Speaking of salespeople, Rabbi Daniel says: In essence, they say to a potential employer, “You should hire me because you have nothing to lose. You will pay me only after I have made money for you. I will only take a percentage of what I bring in.” They are among the most important people who keep the wheels of our economy turning, and their magic is the commission system of payment. / The Lord’s language encourages us to view our own means of earning a living as a sort of “commission” arrangement with God. But He offers an incredible payback plan—a 90 percent commission! Instead of keeping only 10 percent of every dollar I produce, as happens when I work for most bosses, my heavenly Boss allows me to keep 90 percent of every dollar. The remaining 10 percent, however, must be passed on the Boss by giving it to His designated assignees: the poor and the needy. That is an authentically American way of viewing our charitable activities. We deserve no medals for giving away 10 percent of our money. It did not belong to us in the first place. We are just passing it through to its rightful owners. (Buried Treasure, pp 112-113)
How does this perspective change your attitude towards tithing and charitable giving?
You are familiar with the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Read it as translated by Eugene Peterson (Mark 6:30-44):
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper."
Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them."
They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?"
But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory."
That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish."
Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than 5,000 were at the supper.
Who do you identify with in this story? Why?
What do you think the disciples learned from this experience?
What is your journey in learning to give charitably?
These are tight financial times. How does giving generously fly in the face of common sense, and how do you counter those who say it’s foolish to give generously?
Do you have faith to live on a 90% commission?
Does the church have faith to live on a 90% commission?
What will you do with what you have learned tonight?
Rabbi Daniel says: One thing is sure. Americans have been blessed by their adherence to the strange mathematical model that decrees that if you have ten apples and give one to someone who has none, tomorrow you will have fifteen apples. Have you been missing that blessing? Begin today to give generously and wholeheartedly, and then watch what happens. (p 115)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Faith Factor
Q: What is the one word of Hebrew that every Christian knows?
A: Amen.
You use the word all the time. What does it mean?
Rabbi Daniel says:
AMeN, being both the noun faith as well as the verb believe—as in “I believe”—helps us understand this most crucial of lessons regarding economic comfort. A believer might utter “I believe” in the context of worship, while an investor might use exactly the same phrase to explain his choice of investments. (Buried Treasure, p 109-110)
How does economic comfort relate to faith? Consider a baby sitter who gets paid at the end of the night, a minimum wage worker who receives a paycheck once a week, a salesman working on commission, a contractor who gets paid at the end of the job, and a farmer sowing a crop in the spring. What is the expression of faith—if any—for each of these people?
Does faith mean that success will eventually come? Rabbi Daniel says:
No, of course not. However it does mean the without faith, no farmer would plant anything and no investor would ever risk his carefully accumulated capital.
The good Lord appears to have arranged matters so that faith, the ability to clearly see what is still invisible, is rewarded. Why would He do this? Possibly in order to reward Faith in Him. Religious Faith refers to the ability of the faithful to see God clearly. (p 107)
Eugene Peterson puts it this way in the parable he calls “The Story About Investment”:
It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.
After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.' (Matthew 25:14-30, The Message)
What roles does faith play in this story?
How does Peterson’s translation change your understanding of the story?
What do you ever risk? Are you a “play-it-safe”?
Closing Thought: Rabbi Daniel concludes:
Needless to say, both Judaism and Christianity place more emphasis on Faith than many other religions and thus benefit distinctively from the strengthening of the national faith muscle. The Bangladeshi peasant may possess some gold, but it is hidden in his mattress. It takes great faith, a practiced faith muscle, to hand that gold and all the time and efforts it represents to a bank or an investment vehicle. With this scene multiplied by millions of peasants, we can see how a country can be impacted by faith of the lack of it. Without faith, that gold remains in the mattress and Bangladesh remains mired in poverty. (p 108)
A: Amen.
You use the word all the time. What does it mean?
Rabbi Daniel says:
AMeN, being both the noun faith as well as the verb believe—as in “I believe”—helps us understand this most crucial of lessons regarding economic comfort. A believer might utter “I believe” in the context of worship, while an investor might use exactly the same phrase to explain his choice of investments. (Buried Treasure, p 109-110)
How does economic comfort relate to faith? Consider a baby sitter who gets paid at the end of the night, a minimum wage worker who receives a paycheck once a week, a salesman working on commission, a contractor who gets paid at the end of the job, and a farmer sowing a crop in the spring. What is the expression of faith—if any—for each of these people?
Does faith mean that success will eventually come? Rabbi Daniel says:
No, of course not. However it does mean the without faith, no farmer would plant anything and no investor would ever risk his carefully accumulated capital.
The good Lord appears to have arranged matters so that faith, the ability to clearly see what is still invisible, is rewarded. Why would He do this? Possibly in order to reward Faith in Him. Religious Faith refers to the ability of the faithful to see God clearly. (p 107)
Eugene Peterson puts it this way in the parable he calls “The Story About Investment”:
It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.
After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.' (Matthew 25:14-30, The Message)
What roles does faith play in this story?
How does Peterson’s translation change your understanding of the story?
What do you ever risk? Are you a “play-it-safe”?
Closing Thought: Rabbi Daniel concludes:
Needless to say, both Judaism and Christianity place more emphasis on Faith than many other religions and thus benefit distinctively from the strengthening of the national faith muscle. The Bangladeshi peasant may possess some gold, but it is hidden in his mattress. It takes great faith, a practiced faith muscle, to hand that gold and all the time and efforts it represents to a bank or an investment vehicle. With this scene multiplied by millions of peasants, we can see how a country can be impacted by faith of the lack of it. Without faith, that gold remains in the mattress and Bangladesh remains mired in poverty. (p 108)
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