The Meyer Minute

The Meyer Minute for December 3, 2014

Business news regularly reports on inventories.  When inventories are down, it’s good because low inventories indicate products are being sold. Therefore production needs to increase and workers will be added to payrolls. High inventories, on the other hand, indicate that the economy is sluggish and layoffs possible. In a similar way, a large inventory in your personal fiscal life can be spiritually dangerous.

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who had such a good year that he was out of storage space.  To handle his large inventory, he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. “There I will store all my grain and my goods.”  Nothing wrong with that.  An ample inventory, good and well-maintained facilities, cash reserves for the proverbial “rainy day,” and diversified income as a protection against an economic downturn…these are indicators of a well-run business and on a smaller scale are indicators of a healthy household economics.  Should you arrive at such a sweet situation, whether in business or in your personal finances, what’s your next thought?  Jesus’ parable continues with the farmer saying, “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’” He died that night.  His big inventory and sweet financial position did him no good. “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:13-20).

Call to mind that classic comedy scene from the “I Love Lucy” show. Lucy and Ethel are working in a candy store. Their job is to process the candy coming off the conveyor belt. Faster and faster the candy comes. Can’t keep up! They stuff it in their pockets, stuff it in their blouses, stuff it in their mouths… Too much stuff!  That scene made us laugh. Does God smile, sadly smile at us for basing our future well-being upon stuffing away investments, properties, diversified income, our own personal “inventories”?  Your effort to provide for the future is not the problem but basing your security on stuff can be fatal.

“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)

 

The Meyer Minute for December 2, 2014

Did you wake up this morning thinking today might be Judgment Day?

Most of us didn’t.  We wake up some mornings and imagine our own personal world is coming to an end.  Maybe a loved one has just died, our financial house is caving in, we’ve been laid off, or some such personal disaster.  But awake and think that Jesus might come back today?  Probably not.

We get all kinds of smoke about what Advent is about, but the fire of it all is supposed to be Jesus.  He’s the One God has appointed to “judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). The earliest Christians thought the interval between Jesus’ Ascension and Judgment Day would be short but it’s gotten a lot longer than they expected; so it’s understandable that we don’t wake up thinking that this might be That Day.

Here’s one motivator for you to be more Jesus-minded.  “Since you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourself with fear” (1 Peter 1:17).  This is not slavish fear or cowering fear.  This does not mean you should be a fearful person.  It does mean that in today’s interactions with other people, you should be restrained and guarded by the constant awareness that you’re not entitled to any special consideration on Judgment Day. Your final Judge is impartial.  Oh, oh!  We’re in trouble; hence Advent is a season of repentance. 

“It should be observed that this is no contradiction of the doctrine that we are saved by grace through faith; it is, in fact, the necessary complement of that doctrine; for the life of faith, and that alone, will issue in the ‘work’ that God can approve, with partiality” (F.W. Beare; John 6:29).  “Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness!”  That’s why the Bible couples the fear of God with the love of God. 

Christmas trees and lights, special church services, get-togethers…means to the goal, and the goal is Jesus.  “Did not our hearts burn within us?” (Luke 24:32)

 

“Did not

The Meyer Minute for December 1, 2014

Ferguson and its aftermath of destruction, protests, everyone convinced of their opinion…

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down.”  Many of us heard those words from Isaiah 64 yesterday in church.  Oh, yes!  Part of me is so tired with so much in this life.

The President issues an executive order on immigration.  The House sues the President on his implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Pick a network to feed you what you want to hear.

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence.”

ISIS, terror cells in America, dirty bombs, feckless Europe…

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for him.”  O Lord, we’re waiting.  How long before You come down and establish righteousness?

I say that because I want to be vindicated for my beliefs and life.  I presume that you do too.  We want Him to show up publicly and say, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21, 23).  But Isaiah goes on – this is important – “Behold, You were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?” (Isaiah 64:5)  It’s fine to yearn for vindication but it carries the temptation of self-righteousness.  Truth is, we’re all in this broken humanity together.  “We are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand.  Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever.  Behold, please look, we are all Your people” (Isaiah 64:8-9).

Let’s welcome one another to Advent, and each pray that He come down and get into my heart and yours.