By Michael Smith

Jesus talked more about money than he did about love or grace. Jesus talked more about money than he did heaven. But when we think of Christ’s message to us, these are often the themes we tend to think of first. The kingdom of God was the only other topic that Jesus talked more about than money. For Jesus it was the kingdom of God, then money, in terms of what he wanted to convey in his teaching. Often we find Jesus talking about both of these subjects at the same time. This is because the two are closely linked.

Dave Ramsey, a New York Times best-selling author, is very helpful in lending a humorous definition and understanding of stewardship. He says that, ‘In church language, stewardship is code for building a building.” As funny as it may be, sadly it is also very true. The only time we really begin to get serious about financial matters in the church or other nonprofit organizations are when they need money. Unfortunately, these are all misuses of the word and overall concept of giving.

Steward or stewardship isn’t in my language today. I can’t remember ever using it as part of my daily conversations. When was the last time you mentioned stewardship? “Honey, make sure you put your money in your piggy bank so you use it later in your stewardship.” Stewardship needs to be redefined for us.
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By Michael Smith

“Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.’” (Luke 22: 24-26)

“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”  (John 13: 2-5)

From an early age we discover how to distinguish between the popular and the unpopular, the normal and the different, the leaders and the followers. For those who know me, it is not a shock that I was not one of the popular kids in school. But what is most fascinating as I reflect is that even in the realms of ‘nerddom,’ there are still distinguishing marks that separates u. First chair, section leader, president of the Thespian Society, drum major, Dungeon Master- Okay, that last one was for the really geeky kids out there.

We, like the disciples, want to know our place in the pecking order of life. Just imagine the disciples as they are arguing about which of them was considered to be the greatest around the ‘Last Supper’ table. In the midst of them arguing like little middle school boys, Jesus – the Lord of all – gets up from the table and shows them what greatness truly is; Service. John shows us how he takes a towel and wraps it around his waist. Jesus pours water into a basin and washes the disciple’s feet. “The one who rules should be like the one who serves.”
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By Michael Smith

“Direction, not intention, determines destination.”
-Andy Stanley, author and pastor of Northpoint Community Church

This is the principle of the path.

Do you remember Dorothy and her little dog, Toto? She wanted to get home, and there was this guy in Oz who was a Wizard – hence the name of the movie – who would help her get home. In order to get there she had to do something…. “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” If she would follow this road it would lead her to Oz. In fact, if you or I wanted to get to Oz, then guess what… we have to follow the yellow brick road. The reason Dorothy got there is because she followed this road. The direction determines destination.

There was nothing special about Dorothy. She didn’t have to be brilliant – she was traveling with a guy with no brain. It had nothing to do with her character – one guy didn’t have a heart. She didn’t need to be particularly brave- in fact, one guy didn’t have any courage at all. She got to Oz because that is where the yellow brick road led. This is the principle of the path. She could have intended to get there or wished or dreamed with all of her heart, but unless she started out skipping down this road (as munchkins sing her out), she would never have gotten there.
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