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1 Timothy 6:17-19 (CEB) Jenn: This week we ask if the outer manifestations of our money practices align with our courageous vision. Are we creating the impact for which we hope? Or at least moving in that direction? When our practices—no matter how incremental or seemingly simple—are serving the vision, we live with a sense of wholeheartedness and wonder that energizes us, those around us, and the world. We “truly live,” our scripture says. The difference between the Baileys and the Potters of the world comes both in the inner and outer worlds. Do we reap love and generosity or bitterness and resentment? In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George’s father Peter, who refuses to foreclose on the townspeople’s mortgages when they fall on hard times, confronts the meanspirited Mr. Potter: Voice of Peter Bailey “Mr. Potter, what makes you such a hard-skulled character? You have no family, no children. You can't begin to spend all the money you've got.” Jenn: And George himself later reminds Mr. Potter that how we share with others is where true riches lie: Voice of George Bailey: “Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about ... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be.” Jenn:: In our scripture today we do not hear that it is evil to have money, but that what we do with that money is what makes us rich or not. Let us prepareour hearts to hear the Word: Scripture Reader: A reading from the Letter to Timothy: Tell people who are rich at this time not to become egotistical and not to place their hope on their finances, which are uncertain. Instead, they need to hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. When they do these things, they will save a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future. That way they can take hold of what is truly life.