You may have read last week that the richest man in the world has slipped into second place. Another multi-billionaire has slipped past him in that uncertain race. These men are admired in our society, but at the same time vilified for their ruthless ways. It seems that so many people are living their lives as smaller versions of the super-wealthy, striving to grab as much as they can.

Nobody questions the desire to make improvements in our lives. Nobody wants to return to lives of poverty and hunger. It’s good to make progress. In fact, our country needs to prosper so that it can tackle the needs of its citizens and help the poor. But when materialism and wealth are on our minds, plenty can go wrong.

Scripture tells us of King Ahab who demanded the vineyard of his neighbour, a principled man named Naboth (1 Kings 21). When he refused, the king took the advice of his wife and had the man killed. Drastic measures just for a piece of real estate. The quest for wealth can lead us into covetousness and even violence. Life can become a dog-eat-dog existence where the prize goes to the one with the biggest bite.

Striving for wealth can make us blind to the needs of the less fortunate. Jesus spoke about an insanely rich man who spent his money on himself every day (Luke 16:19-31). He failed to notice the needy man sitting on his front steps. Just a piece of bread would have made so much difference, but it was never offered. You can read about the fate of this tycoon in the next life; it’s not pretty. Perhaps the super-rich today are so busy building empires they may fail to help the poor, or even treat their employees fairly.

And how can we forget the rich farmer of Luke 12:16-21? He worked so hard for riches, he decided to simply let prosperity flow in and enjoy it all. He forgot all about God, to thank Him for His blessings, to consult Him about his responsibilities, and that someday he would face Him and be judged. Should it surprise us that the super-rich rarely speak about God?

The apostle John said it well in 1 John 2:17. “And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

A thought: If the richest man in the world only has money, is he really rich?

A Christian family of modest means enjoyed a nice Christmas day with good food and gifts for everyone. Their young son surveyed everything and asked, “Dad, are we rich?” That’s not an easy question to answer, for what really is wealth? Having lots of possessions doesn’t guarantee happiness and the physically rich may not be rich at all. The life of a well-known television celebrity illustrates this truth, for her wealth spoiled her son and caused a family disaster. The other side of our question about wealth is not plain to see, for a poor man may feel rich because of the great spiritual things God has given him. James confirmed this when he said, “But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position” (Jas.1:9). With such thoughts flashing through his mind, the young boy’s father answered, “Yes, we are rich, but not just because of the nice gifts you got for Christmas.”

If there is any doubt about spiritual riches, read the following verses:

• Rom.2:4 – “Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience?”
• Eph.1:7-8 – “The riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.”
• Eph.1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know…what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”
• Eph.2:6-7 – “In order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
• Eph.3:8 – “The unfathomable riches of Christ.”
• Col.2:2 – “And attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Are we rich? Now you know what to say, should somebody ask.

– Tim Johnson

Jesus said in Matt.5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” With the dawn of 2021 upon us, what should the people in our community – especially those near our church building – see in us? Here’s a few thoughts.

                1. A godly people. In our profane, modern society people should see something better in the Lord’s people. Peter said, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Pet.1:14-15).

                2. A kind people. There are needs all around us, and our neighbours should view us as people who are concerned for them. We can’t deal with everybody’s problems, but we can be kind. Paul said, “…Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col.3:12).  Will people view us as cold and indifferent, or warm and helpful?

                3. An engaging people. If we want the community to be interested in our message, we must be open to them. People have questions and wonder about who we are. Peter, who wrote about the church’s relationship to the world, said, “…always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet.3:15).

                4. An enthusiastic people. Many religious groups practice rituals with lukewarm habit. The community needs to see us as people who are happy and enthused about the faith. Few are interested in religion that is sleepy and dreary. “Therefore, gird your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13).

                5. A people of the truth. Some think the church should accept everything and stand for nothing. More respect is given to those who know the truth and stand on it firmly. John wrote to “all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever” (2 Jn.1-2).

Let’s be determined to let our light shine effectively.

– Tim Johnson

There’s a pile of old bulletins in my desk drawer and I read a few of them recently. The oldest go back to 2005 and they are much like a snapshot of what the Barrie church was like 15 years ago. The church had three elders and three deacons; some of their names are different than today. The preacher was Shawn Redding, just beginning his work. It was a busy time for the church: there are pictures of ladies’ events with many present, men’s breakfasts, renovations being done in the building, and lots of kids. General attendance on Sundays was roughly 60 to 80 people, about the same as we were before Covid-19 hit us hard 9 months ago. And guess what: the church was raising funds to install a new sign on the front lawn; the goal was $6,500 (not unlike today as we save up for the sign’s replacement – at almost 4X the price!).

We look back with fondness at the church the way it was and people we once knew. Some congregations have had great people among them years ago and can’t seem to get out from under their shadow, as if they’re living in the past or hanging on to other people’s accomplishments. But the church was never designed to stagnate and be frozen by its past. We must focus on today and aim toward what we can be in the future. It’s our turn to plan, serve, worship, and grow. People of the past can’t do that for us.

When Moses died, they wept for him in the plains of Moab for 30 days, “Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end” (Deut.34:8). It was time for Joshua to take over. It was his turn and he led them into the new land. A new chapter of history need to be written. Even John the Baptist, as great and influential as he was, knew it was time for Jesus to be front and centre before the people. He said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

With a New Year around the corner, how will you fit into the church’s life? What plans will you lay to grow and serve? What can we do to bring new people into the fold? These are big questions that are not easy to answer, but they deserve pondering.

It’s our turn. Let’s do a great job for our Lord.

– Tim Johnson

Just behind Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains is a beautiful waterfall that freezes solid in winter. It’s a magnet for people who like to climb such slippery slopes and make it to the top. I had a friend who enjoyed this dangerous sport and he said it was a thrill; everything looked beautiful from up there. You must admire his willingness to take risks. As somebody said, “If you want the view, make the climb.”

In an earlier article by David Johnson, he said, “The life that God has given us is a glorious experience. We only have one chance at it as we live here in this world. Each of us is a history and no history is the same. One child can become a saint and the other a demon. Doesn’t that say something about the specialness of each one of us? Life is full of choices and many of them have risks attached. When we take full responsibility for our lives, it may not be easy. Upon hearing Jesus say, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men,’ they ‘immediately left the nets and followed Him.’ (Matt.4:19-20). They risked it all.

“To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to others is to risk becoming involved. To show our feelings is to risk exposing our humanity. To take a stand for what is right is to risk losing a friend. To try to share the gospel risks rejection. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. But loss of hope has a dreary end.

“To live life to the full, risks must be taken because one of the great hazards of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing. That person may avoid some suffering and sorrow but cannot experience the complete depth of living.

“It is far better to choose the way of love, the way of caring, the way of hope, the way of belief in tomorrow, the way of trusting, and the way of goodness – in spite of risks. Kermit the frog said, ‘It is a whole lot more satisfying to reach for the stars, even if you end up landing on the moon.’”

Climbing a frozen waterfall may seem risky, but what a view!

– Tim Johnson