A Faith Thing

            A few years ago, a counterfeit ring was discovered, broken up and prosecuted.  The criminals were surprised to get caught, as their product looked exactly like the real thing.  Even the paper they were using passed all tests for accuracy.  Only one small additional letter tripped them up.  Their money was emboldened with the motto “In Gold We Trust.”  Even when shown their error, the crooks didn’t get it. OK, I confess that the story is fictitious.  But the sentiment is definitely true for too many people. 

            Once when Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the sea, a great storm rose up.  Jesus was asleep as the boat began to be tossed about through rough waves and crashes of thunder and flashes of lightning.  The people of that day, for the most part, stayed away from water.  The thought of going out on a boat, even in calm weather, was feared and believed to be an insane test of fate.  Even though this boat was filled with some experienced fishermen, the storm filled all with great fear.  So, the disciples woke up Jesus and asked Him why He didn’t care that they were in grave trouble.  Jesus immediately calmed the storm and seas.  This event actually filled the disciples with more fear than the preceding storm.  Then Jesus admonished the twelve with this question.  “Where is your faith?”

            Now it is easy to interpret this story as Jesus accusing the disciples of not having faith. However, I think His question is direct.  The disciples had faith, but at the moment it was misdirected.  Their faith and trust was in calm seas, sturdy boats, dry land and virtually anything safe and removed from their perilous situation.  But, their faith clearly was not in the Son of God among them.

            Jesus taught that our treasure is where our heart is.  His message also made clear that our salvation is where our faith is.  What we trust and believe in guides and even controls our lives.  So many of us cling onto every scrap of our blessings in fear that a rainy day, full of great need, is just around the corner.  When we use what God provides for us, as He intended, we find that He continues to supply us with our needs.  But of course, it does require faith in His ability to provide.

            There are two seas in the Holy Land.  Each is fed with the same river.  Each is situated in the same region, with the same terrain and the same weather conditions.  One sea is full of life, teeming with fish and water plants.  The other is brackish, stagnant and dead.  The only difference between the two is what happens to the water they receive.  The “healthy” sea gives up each drop of water it receives.  The river keeps supplying more and the sea is replenished and productive.  The other sea hordes every drop of water, returning none of it downstream.  The result is stagnation and death.

            When we speak of stewardship in the Church we always want to stress that it is not a money thing, but it is a faith thing.  Jesus wants us to have life and have it abundantly.  He will provide.  Where will your faith be?

John Piper

For the stewardship committee