AND IT IS MONEY, MATERIAL WEALTH, OR ANY ENTITY THAT PROMISES WEALTH, AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GREEDY PURSUIT OF GAIN. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT, A VERY RELEVANT BOOK FOR LENT AS WE THINK ABOUT GIVING VARIOUS DIFFERENT THINGS UP OR COMMITTING TO SOMETHING NEW.
I hadn’t ever read anything by Welby before but he’s very easy to read so if you’re able to get hold of it I would recommend it. There are 6 chapters and in each one a different aspect of the issue of mammon is explored. These are closely linked to Gospel passages and illustrated with real world examples and relatable analogies.
What is he saying in chapter 1? The title is ‘What we see we value’ and we start off with the story of the death of Lazarus in John chapter 11.
The idea that death is swept away by the power of Jesus is a powerful image as we read that Lazarus is brought back from the dead. This is all part of Jesus maintaining peace and as we move towards the Easter story this Lent we know very well that Jesus brings about peace with another resurrection.
Welby makes the point that since Lazarus was living with his two sisters he may have had learning difficulties or a disability. And Jesus sees someone worth bringing back to life, which is an important consideration when we talk about the character of Jesus. He risks everything for you and I, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.
This brings us on to God’s generosity, as illustrated in several passages in the Bible- miraculous wine in excess, 5000 people fed with leftovers and love more than enough for everyone on earth. We don’t need to look to money and wealth to provide us with satisfaction, God is what we need, and He can’t be bought with money anyway.
So let’s ask God to heal our vision because if Jesus is always looking to give out abundantly and generously of himself so must we. It’s not easy to see like God does but what we need to pray for is that we see life breakthrough in Jesus!
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