Thanks for this, Lynne. It is so hard to understand chronic pain, until you experience it yourself - a truth I've learned this year while discovering that I have fibromyalgia. I appreciate your prayers for all of us who have chronic pain, and pray that your knee will be back at 100% very soon!

I don't think you're missing anything at all, Eric. We may not be able to serve both, but we can (and do) certainly try - which ends up causing all sorts of problems. Also, I wonder: when you say we serve one or the other alone, by default, are you saying that if we try to serve both, we are automatically serving money alone? Just want to make sure I understand your interpretation of the text. My questions about balance are both a nod to the illusion you speak of and an honest question about what our relationship with money could and should look like if we choose not to serve it. It is also an attempt to recognize that it is easy for folks who have money to tell folks who are struggling to keep a roof over their head that they shouldn't focus on money. Thanks for chiming in and adding to the discussion!

Richard, agreed! Crazy though it sounds, it is just as difficult for congregations to choose God over money - especially when there is so much fear surrounding questions of whether or not the Church will "survive the recession". But I also think that this text will "preach" during a stewardship season - if the Church (both collectively and as individuals) begins to think of ministry/service/faithfulness as the primary goals and money as a necessary tool to meet those goals (rather than the primary goal being a tithing membership that is large enough to fund the budget), then ministry will flourish and I'm betting that giving won't shrink either! Thanks for joining the conversation! Lara

Joan, you are welcome to use the article so long as you attribute it to me and to The Thoughtful Christian (if you use the link in your citation, that would be a good thing!). I'm glad to hear that it was a useful perspective. :)

Ray, I love this! (And not just because I know and love you!). This is exactly the sort of conversation I hope parents can have with their kids. Unfortunately, so many adults who grew up with inaccurate or shame-filled understandings of their own bodies and sexuality simply arent in a good space to have honest and open conversation with their kids. (Which makes me all the more thankful that you ARE in that good place!). One of the things the Church should be able to offer is conversation and education that is healing for adults - both so that they can approach their children from a place of health/wholeness, and for their own sake. We should be about the business of sharing Gods good word for sexuality, instead of falling back into the habits of silence and shame! Sent from my iPhone

Thank you, Dave. I appreciate the blessing!