Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones

A friend of mine asked me to write an article about “seeking first the kingdom of God”. His rationale for the topic related to an incident with a woman. He met her at a cookout where she talked about leaving her generational wealth to her children for their future needs. He said that he missed an opportunity to talk to her about leaving spiritual treasures as a legacy for her family.

In effect, he missed an opportunity to share the gospel message.

Initially, I kept thinking of an inspirational praise song entitled *SEEK YE FIRST (The Kingdom Of God). That tune kept playing in my mind like a rewound tape. Then I researched some scriptural passages to formulate my theme.

The following biblical passage offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us. The passage reads, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

As I continued to reflect on the topic and reminisce about my own family, I remembered my father telling me that charity begins at home. Dad was part of a first generation large Italian family.

Dad’s family was a typical Italian family of immigrants (early 20^th century) who helped provide the labor for American factories etc. He worked at the former Heald Machine Co. in Worcester Ma, and after WWII, he worked in various construction jobs to provide for our growing family. My family experience was to value work at an early age.

Consequently, my wife and I passed on that legacy of family values to our growing family to support each other in time of need.
One of my adult daughter’s gave me a compliment during a casual conversation. She said, “Dad one of your greatest gifts you gave us at a young age was to value work in helping to support ourselves”. In addition, all our children experienced a Catholic Christian upbringing to accompany a work ethic.

Our middle class upbringing consisted of working class families who worked to pay the bills.

Our country’s history has a legacy of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” or self-reliance. We are a nation of immigrants who struggled to find their place in society. The history of immigration has many stories of our ancestors working hard to get through their daily struggles while maintaining a faith in God.

The many large churches dotting the landscape are a testimony to the faith in God of our immigrant forbears.

This introduction leads me to focus on the theme of “stumbling blocks”. What are some stumbling blocks in life?

For example, I stumbled on the wet pavement, or he stumbled drunkenly outside the bar room.

On a spiritual level, the Bible offers a number of examples of stumbling blocks that entice others to sin and endanger their souls.

For example, Jesus was tempted by his own disciple Peter.
He said to Jesus that He would never go to the cross. Jesus replied, “Get behind me Satan!” ( Matthew 16:20-23).

Further, Jesus has a stern warning:

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:6-7).

We live in a culture where it is difficult to communicate without offending someone. In addition, on the political landscape, bickering includes deliberate efforts to damage the credibility of various opposing party members especially around election time. 

Yet, we are instructed to pray for those in authority.

"I urge---that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) In addition, St. Paul wrote about offenses when he told the Romans, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

Therefore, be aware of the danger of becoming a stumbling block to others. Their actions may be obvious to us. In contrast, our own actions affecting them may not be obvious to us.

Put yourself in the other person’s proverbial shoes. By focusing our attention on others, we should become aware of potential obstacles that could affect them.

For example, when Paul wrote about not being a stumbling block, some Roman brethren had serious reservations about eating meat that had been involved in sacrifices to pagan idols. This led to bickering within the Roman congregation. In response to this issue, Paul explained that there was nothing morally wrong with purchasing and eating these meats (Romans 14:14). In addition, he wrote, “If your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (verse 15).

Stumbling blocks are not always about “right” and “wrong”.

“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:13).
In conclusion, strive to avoid being stumbling blocks to others. Instead, become stepping-stones to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the faith.