How many of us remember as kids, the family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Do you remember sitting at that card table with all your siblings and cousins? Now how many of you remember that dinner when you were finally old enough to sit with the grown ups? No longer were you one of the babies, you had made the big time. While over time the thrill of sitting with the adults may wear off, for that brief moment you may have felt like royalty.
One of the disturbing things I have noticed about today’s society, especially among our younger generations is the need to have everything our parents have and more by the time we are out on our own.
For example, when I was teaching school, I remember one student, we will call him Les, had told me of his room at home. He had his own TV a 27 inch flat screen, a dvd/vcr player, a stereo system, a full size water bed, a gaming system, a refrigerator, and microwave all in his room. Les was only 15 at the time, did not have a job and he had used his Social Security money to buy it all. He was in the process of trying to get him self a cell phone and a computer to complete his collection of stuff.
However he is not alone, my own daughter, Kaitlin (who is only 10 years old) has many items at her grandmothers’ house that Luann and I would never dream of purchasing for her. She has her own VCR, a Computer, 3 different game systems including two different Game boys, a television, a portable DVD/TV, and even a cell phone. However, with all of this, she does not truly appreciate what she has.
For example, on a couple of occasions she has misplaced one of her Game boys, (she left it in a hotel room in Ottumwa), while she was saddened at the loss her response was, “Oh well, Grandma will buy me another one.” Les’ reaction was much the same when the something of his became damaged, or misplaced. “Oh well, I can just buy another one.”
What did Les and Kaitlin miss here? Neither one appreciated what they had before, because neither one had sacrificed anything in the getting of what they had.
So how does this relate to our gospel reading for today? Let’s look at what Jesus said to the crowd;
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11 NIV)
On the surface what Les and Kaitlin had done, may not seem to relate to the Gospel story. However like Les and Kaitlin and their non interest in waiting to either earn it or receive it as a gift later, many people want the recognition for what they do, without having to wait to receive it. Certainly it is okay for parents to give their children nice things. But in the case of Les and Kaitlin, they were both given items in excess or above and beyond their basic needs and wants. They were given these items to the extent that now, they just automatically expect them. As I said earlier, even if an items gets broken or lost, their first thought is not “oh no, I broke or lost this item”, but rather “oh well, I will just get a new one”.
This can even be carried over into adult hood. For example, while it may have felt great at the time to have shared our accomplishments or to pat our own backs for something that we had done, to those around us it may not be so. Those gathered around you may consider it boastful (as Paul would say) or may even become jealous.
Now, I am not saying that it is not a good thing to be recognized for our achievements, because it is. Everyone, at one time or another, likes to receive words of gratitude for what they have done. That is a wonderful feeling. As Christians, we should encourage each other and build each other up as often as we can.
But, according to the Gospel, Jesus was saying that it is better for others to recognize your talents and gifts. It is better to let our gifts and our accomplishments to be seen by others and let them lift us up in recognition.
Even greater than all the praise and accolades we can receive from others for our earthly accomplishments, is the exaltation we will receive when we are lifted up before the Lord our God.
It will be God that will reward us, beyond our wildest dreams for our faith in Him. In Hebrews the author wrote the following words in verses 15-16 of chapter 13.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Like the Epistles, it is through our doing for our faith that God is pleased. It will be because of our unfailing faith in God, and willingness to do His will that He will exalt us.
Unfortunately there are those who do not wish to wait for this exultation, or these blessings to be given to them. Some people make the attempt to seat themselves at the place of honor.
There was a man back home, who lived in a town next to us. He was somewhat of a wealthy man, as he owned his own business and had several thousand employees (which included his offices in Iowa, Hong Kong and his factory in China).
He became a very powerful man in his own mind. He threw out all rationality when it came to treating others with respect and also running a business wisely. With everything he already had, he still wanted more. For every dollar he made, he wanted two more. He never had enough. He expected his employees to work very hard for him, and he gave them little respect or praise in return. In his mind, he had become the “god” of his world. Then one day, everything he had was taken from him. He had a taste for the finer things in life, and only the best would do, after all, he felt he deserved it. He refused to pay attention to the finances of his company, and whenever he wanted something, he got it, whether it was a new car, a new home, whatever. He did this until one day, he woke up and realized that he had been spending a lot more money than he was making. He lost everything, his company, his employees, his home; his Porsche….it was gone, just like that. He had the potential, as a very talented man, to do so much for himself and his fellow man. But he allowed greed and power to control him to the point that it almost ruined him. He still lives in that town and he is still trying to put together the pieces of his life. He was trying to seat himself in the place of honor, instead of allowing others to acknowledge him first.
As Christians, we should always place God at the head of our table and give Him the seat of honor.
Sometimes, it can be very easy to become greedy, power hungry and unappreciative of what has been given to us. Sometimes, we can feel like we are the most special person on earth. But, what we should remember is that God loves us all the same, each and every one of us. We are ALL special in his eyes and we are precious in His sight.
So even though it may feel at times that we are still sitting at that card table on Thanksgiving Day, watching all the adults sit at the big table, feasting away……..hold on. Even though it may seem that your neighbor has so much and you have so little……..hold on. Hold on, for the Bible tells us that there is coming a day when Jesus will return for us and take us to be with Him in glory and He will set a feast before us like we have never seen before. And, you, as a child of God, will take your place of honor and receive your long awaited reward.
As we come forward for communion today, let us keep in mind that this life is but a fleeting moment compared to what we will spend in heaven with our Lord. So, if this life has failed to seat you at a place of honor, then hold on because God is working out something even better for you. And believe me, you are worth the wait. Amen
