Need or Luxury

The difference between a need and a luxury is an irregularly drawn, jagged line through a "no-man’s land" of Christian stewardship. For instance, Pat and I bought a second-hand car in 1969 in order to make a trip to our national church convention in Dallas Texas . . . in August. The car had no air conditioning! Air conditioning was a "luxury" in our 1969 definition of stewardship, but it is an absolute necessity today! The jagged line has moved far enough toward creature comforts to include several newly-defined necessities. In our automotive world power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, heated seats . . . all have been embraced under newly-written guidelines. However, we still struggle when beverage orders are taken before meals eaten in restaurants. (We can buy a twelve pack for the price of two drinks.)

As a pastor for more than 45 years I denied myself the luxury of fully enjoying today because I was responsible for planning tomorrow! In the middle of Advent I was planning a week of prayer at the beginning of the New Year. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection Day services all required our best effort but were less than 100 hours apart. After preaching twice, often three times, on Sunday, Monday demanded I get ready for Wednesday’s Bible study and next Sunday. Full rest and luxurious relaxation came during family vacations.

This Advent season seems luxurious! Advent devotionals on the incarnation are rich, supple, warm. Grace has more time to smoothly ooze into the cracks and crevices etched into the spirit by many years of rushing from one important event, person or thing to another. Good things like an effective ministry, successful parenting and peer approval can come at the cost of forfeiting necessities by renaming them luxuries. We must remember that growing in grace is not a luxury, but a necessity, a direct order, "Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes! (2 Peter 3:18, The Message)

As I write this morning, I am luxuriously listening to Handel’s Messiah and enjoying a cup of coffee without an early morning appointment, no big event to plan and no corporate budgets to balance. That is luxury! But just outside my window are people passing by on their way to eternity. My neighbors still do not know the truth of Charles Wesley’s hymn. If I fail to rouse myself from the posh comforts of self interest, the joyous truths will be wasted.

Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Necessity balances luxury! I must shake myself free of comforts of which I feel entitled. The truth of this morning’s meditations must be shared. In the background, "Unto us a Son is Given" is being sung by a great chorus. The One who sent His Son wants everyone to know the Truth.