BICYCLES AND ANSWERED PRAYERS

 

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Gold Hill UMC

October 19,2025

Luke 18:1-8

When I read this story this week, I was reminded of an event that occurred some 69 years ago. When I first saw it, I knew I has to have it. It was what I had always wanted. And there it was, front and center in the window of Joe's Bike Shop. A bright green Schwinn American bicycle. It had two of the things I most wanted in a bicycle: First: It was a Boys bike! I had been riding a hand me down bike from my sister, and it was embarrassing! Anyplace I went I was teased about my Girl,'s bike. Secondly, it had TWO speeds...twice as many as most of my friends had. It was the bike of my dreams and I had to have it.

My 10^th birthday was coming up, and I went on a mission. I let everyone know that that bike was what I wanted for my birthday. I told my parents(At least a thousand times). I told my brothers and sisters. It l told my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I told all my friends and their folks. I even told God. I really wanted that bicycle!

Then came the big day. I jumped out of bed, dressed for school, and bounced into the kitchen where my mother was busy making the famous October 6^th Coffee Cake.

“Would you please set the table?” she asked. No”Good Morning.” No “Happy Birthday.” Just 'Please set the table. I grabbed the silverware and distributed it around the table. Then the plates, glasses, cups, and saucers. I finished with the pitcher of milk ad carafe of coffee.”

“The table is set”.

Any trouble?”

“Nope.”

Anything unusual?”

“No, just a bicycle on the table....A BICYCLE!” I ran back into the dining room and looked again. There it was! The bright green Schwinn American, 2 speed Boys bike! And a card wishing me a Happy Birthday! It sure was.

This parable is not about a birthday wish, The story concerns a widow who is seeking justice. Widows, especially widows without sons to stand up for them were among what I call the POP; the Poor, the Oppressed, and the Powerless.”

The judge—who was not a judge in the way we know judges, but one of the elders, possibly a rabbi,scribe,or Pharisee, who heard the cases of the people and dispensed justice—supposedly.

This judge did not. He had no respect for either God, nor people, and quite probably ruled in favor of the largest bribe. In any event, when the widow approached him seeking justice he ignored her. But she didn't give up, she kept coming to him asking for justice. Finally, the judge realized . And therethat if he didn't listen to her case she would just keep on hounding him. He said to himself: “I will grant her justice so that she will not wear me out by continually coming.” Jesus then compares the unjust judge to the God of Justice, telling his disciples: “Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? I tell you he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

This is not a story about nagging God, it is a story about constant, consistent faithfulness, even in the face of seeming impossibility. It is a challenge to remain faithful even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles.

Over the course of my pastoring career I served mostly small churches, and almost all of them suffered from feelings of corporate inferiority. The “We're too small. We're too old. We're too tired” syndrome.

They would read in church publications, of the wonderful work being done by their larger sister churches, and feel less than faithful because they could not match those efforts. Because they don't have large buildings, big staffs, TV ministries, or a pastor who is always being interviewed about local events on the evening news they must not count for much.

But I would suggest that as we gather here every Sunday, every Christmas, every Easter, whether there be 6 or 60 of us, we are holding fast to our faith. We demonstrate that faithfulness in worship, offering ourselves, our prayers, our offerings our service to God as we celebrate God's faithfulness to us.

Today's gospel is a story about faithfulness through prayer and waiting. The widow in the story never gave up. No matter how many times she was put off, no matter how many times she was ignored, she kept coming back. Another week has gone by and I still don't know when my surgery will be. I am sometimes even tempted to feel like the woman in the story. But unlike the widow in the story I have no doubt that God hears my prayers. I have no doubt that my shoulder will be healed. I know God hears my prayers, and I know they will be answered

We had about three months left in Seminary. Then we would leave Ohio and return to the Oregon-Idaho annual conference. Fay and I sat down and went over our financial situation, how much money we had; how much we expected to earn in those last months; and how much we needed to live on and move. We came up $500 short. So we prayed about it, and we prayed about it, and we prayed about it some more. But we were still $500 short. So we decided to call my sister, who I was almost positive would lend us the money. “I'll call her tomorrow after I get home from school.” I told Fay. That day I checked my mail box at the school and there was a letter from the conference. I had been nominated for, and awarded a /scholarship I didn't even know existed. A check for $500 was included. I know God answers my prayer, and I know he will answer yours. Remember, prayer is like duct tape; if it doesn't work, you haven't used enough. AMEN.

 

USING MONEY

Gold Hill United Methodist Church

September 21, 2025

Luke 16:1-13

At first reading, today's story of the Dishonest Manager left me somewhat confused. Why is Jesus praising this guy for cheating his boss. Is this really what Christians are supposed to do? I don't think so. But I must admit it took a while, and quite a bit of study, for me to figure this one out.

Jesus had just finished telling the story of the prodigal to the Pharisees and scribes who were grumbling about his keeping company with sinners and tax collectors. Now he speaks to his disciples, his followers and friends. He tells his followers of a manager who had been “Squandering” his master's property. The master called for a final accounting and fired the steward. The steward, realizing his reputation is shot and his chance at getting another job as manager was now impossible, took action. He reduced the accounts receivable from several debtor's, knowing he could call in these favors later. Jesus then praises the manager—not for stealing-

but for the shrewd way in which he prepared for his future. By reducing the debts, he made the debtors beholding to him and created a situation where he would be assured of a welcome in their homes. He was praised for the wise use of money.

Paul writes to Timothy that the love of money is the root of evil. It is not the money that is evil, money simply is. It is how relate to or use money that is good or evil.

John Wesley preached of money that Christians should:

Gain all you can;

save all you can;

and give all you can. This he says is the proper relationship of the Christian to money. There are, of course, conditions and exceptions to be considered.

First, in gaining all we can we must be careful not to so in any way that will harm ourselves or our neighbor.

Jobs that give us no time for rest, worship, or with our families are improper; as are jobs that constantly expose us, or others to dust, fumes or other toxins.

Secondly we should avoid gain from means that are,by nature sinful, or that violate the laws of God, state, or nation. Such as:

the Pornography and sex industries

dealing in illegal drugs

human trafficking and slavery

Thirdly we should avoid gain that comes at the cost of harm to others or to God's creation. This could include tobacco, alcohol, any unsafe consumer product. In short we are to gain all we can honestly and by using our common sense.

Wesley's second rule of m,money is to save all we can.

He cautions us against unnecessary or vain expenditures. Spend only for what you need. This implies knowing the difference between wants and needs. Too often we can make want into a need.

For example, living where we do, a car is, for most of us a legitimate need, a Ferrari, on the other hand, is usually a want. Spending to gratify our pride or to exalt ourselves is nothing more than keeping up with the Joneses, and is equally unsatisfying. Provide food, clothing and shelter and care for bodily health for yourself and your household. To paraphrase Wesley in another place: Income $1,000- Expenditures $999; result, happiness. Income $1,000-expenditures$1,005: result, unhappiness. Spend what you must and save the rest.

Wesley's third rule of money: Give all you can. After gaining all you can, providing for the needs of yourself

and yo

your household, “do good to those who o are of the household of faith, and then to all people.

Note that Wesley doesn't prescribe any particular percentage. The Old Testament prescribed 10%, a tithe: the new Testament makes no such requirement. “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The bottom line is that we do not own any of our so-called possessions. Like the manager in the parable, we are only stewards of that with which God has entrusted us. God is the ultimate decider of how we are to use it.

You will notice that I have used the term “gain” and not “earn.” Many of us have income from investments. It is important that we heed these same rules when investing our savings. We should invest in companies that provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and produce goods that are safe, legal, and moral. I have instructed my broker to avoid investing in alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. I am aware that I am quite possibly passing up lucrative returns, but I sleep better and night knowing I'm not blowing up Palestinian children.

It has been said that to know what a person values look and their calendar, their investment portfolio,and their check book. What do yours say? AMEN.