Doulos

With plenty of grain in the barn or money in the bank, we may be tempted to relax, eat, drink and be merry.  But like the rich fool, when we stand before the judgment seat, what will we have to show in being rich toward God? 

Dr. Andy Geleris, author of Money and Salvation - An Invitation to the Good Way, reflects on the parable of the rich fool from Luke's Gospel and the importance of being rich toward God.  We must live as though we believe we will die and stand before God's judgment.  Dr. Geleris also suggests that the Church has severely neglected the topic of money and the salvific practice of almsgiving as mercy-giving.  He urges tithing as a great first step in almsgiving and reminds us that the Lord's blessing is abundant through anonymous giving.  

When tempted to say, "I quit," or "I'm indispensable," consider whether this might signal a kind of self-importance that has lost sight of the greater mission.  We struggle with self-importance at every turn. When work is challenging, it's tempting to despair, quit, and presume to deserve better. And when others rely on us, it's tempting to pridefully assume that our expertise is indispensable. Even the Prophet Elijah was tempted to despair and presumed he was indispensable to the Lord's work. Fr. Timothy Lowe suggests we cut the drama and be ready with a humble and sober answer to the Lord's small voice when He asks, "What are you doing here?"

Who doesn't love a good deal? Imagine the relief of debt forgiveness!

Fr. Aaron Warwick, co-host of Teach Me Thy Statutes, exegetes the parable commonly referred to as The Unjust Steward in the Gospel of Luke and demonstrates the wisdom of the steward through a more careful translation of the Greek which renders The Steward of the Unjust. The Master praises his steward for doing what the Master intends: distributing mercy just as the Apostle Paul mercifully distributes the Gospel to the Gentiles.  

In this week's episode, we are challenged by the Gospel of John, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)  

Mariam Haddad, successful entrepreneur, community supporter, and devoted mother, shares her encounter with the pruning shears wielded by the Lord. In the solitude of the pandemic, she gives up her grandiose plans for her children and business and loses every possession in the Houston freeze. Mariam glorifies God for this new season of repentance by which the dead branches of pride and personal agendas are pruned and cut away. 

As Christians, we claim to have one Lord and Master, one Heavenly King. But is it possible that we betray that allegiance when we seek earthly powers to govern us? As Americans, we're told that our vote matters. Politicians from all sides appeal to the Christians in this land by promising to represent our values. We want a leader who will protect us, serve us, and let's face it, agree with us.  Just like the people of Israel who first cried for a king, we want a ruler over us that we also "may be like all the nations and that our King may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." (1 Sam. 8:20) Be careful what you wish for!

The wife of a clergyman, respectfully called Preoteasă, Matushka, Khouria, Presbytera, or Popadija in various Orthodox traditions, serves a unique supporting role in a parish community. Preoteasă Lillian Lupu, author of Helpful Hints for Orthodox Clergy Wives, explores the tremendous responsibility the wife of a clergyman carries in supporting her husband, their family, and the extended church community. 

The episode's title conveys a double meaning. "Supporting" describes the clergy wife in her role, and it explores how the laity can support these women who are constantly called upon to serve and sacrifice for the sake of the community. Rather than offering suggestions and critique, support is better offered by extending the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

As the world begins to reopen, we have choices to make about engaging the world around us.  Fr. Timothy Lowe shares two strange and contrasting stories - one where fear and suspicion leads to rejection and another where trust and a posture of hospitality leads to a joyous feast with a stranger. He likens these stories to the shushing crowds who refuse to engage the blind beggar in Luke's gospel; unlike Jesus who attends to his faithful cry.  

These stories help servant leaders within the Lord's household to reconsider our "target audiences," those "customer profiles" we find worthy to engage our services, products, and events. 

Imagine starting a new project where the leader and the entire chain of command is on the same page, inspiring everyone to contribute faithfully and efficiently to the cause. Now imagine that this cause is not the Lord's cause. 

While the young King Josiah leads his people in a faithfully executed temple repair campaign, the Book of the Law is discovered within the temple treasury. The Book of the Law presents itself as the true treasure and offers a new chance for Israel to get on the same page - quite literally - of Deuteronomistic reforms which is Israel's only hope amidst destruction and pending exile.  

In this January season of performance reviews and annual meetings, we turn to the Prophet Amos who conducts a performance review of all the nations. No one is righteous. No not one. Neither does scrutinizing one's neighbor and escaping their sins by comparison make one righteous. The Prophet Amos helps servant leaders put today's performance reviews into perspective for the one that truly counts on the Last Day. 

When there's already nothing to eat, held captive in a land destroyed by locusts, drought and fire, the Prophet Joel delivers a message to sanctify a fast. Old Testament scholar, Richard Benton, PhD, discusses how the message of Joel is critical for any leader today to sanctify even failure, ruin, and devastation unto the Lord.