Something Else to be Thankful For (Or I’m Just Saying.)

Besides Martha, another person we are supposed to see as a bad example is that Pharisee in Luke18:9-14, who was praying at the temple a short distance from a tax collector.  He thanked God that he was “not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.”  He gave ten percent of his income and fasted twice a week.  And this was true.  The point of the story is not that the Pharisee was lying.  

The tax collector stood at the side, hung his head and beat his breast, saying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  The tax collector, because of his humility, “went home justified before God.”  When I heard this in Sunday School, I got the idea that the tax collector was a better person, even though he had probably been cheating those he collected from.  He was Good and the Pharisee was Bad.  I certainly did not want to grow up to be like the Pharisee.

This story is a good reminder that we must not get too full of ourselves and no matter what we do, we are all sinners.  The Pharisee should have acknowledged this.  But what is wrong with being grateful that you have had opportunities and been given gifts, both spiritual and material, that others haven’t?

I know that I am a sinner and in the eyes of God am no less of one than a drug dealer.  But I am still thankful that I am not a drug dealer.  I have been very blessed to come to know Jesus.  I’m glad my sinfulness does not involve standing on a drug corner in all weathers, worrying about being arrested or killed, and maybe realizing that I am destroying lives. 

So sue me.

But God, be merciful to me, a sinner!