In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Like most all people, I have moments of thinking what I could do if only I had more money. Things such as taking a trip, making a housing improvement, or going on an excursion that would be beneficial for my children to experience. I think about what I don’t have, which leads to wanting more.
But when one thinks about such topics more deeply than what first reaches the mind, further reflection shows there is more in our lives than what we don’t have. Much has been given to everyone. There are abundant blessings in the areas I named in wanting: I’ve been on many trips, seen lots of the country. I live in a house that is comfortable and relatively new. My kids have had far more experiences and gone on more trips than I did when I was their ages. With the understanding that God had made those things possible, these are each reasons for gratitude.
Like most people, I have moments of admiring the gifts and talents of others, such as musicians and singers, those with a gift for fixing things, those with keen minds and good business sense. I begin to question the significance of my own talents and abilities. Seeing what I don’t have, I am led to wanting more.
But looking into the situation further, I realize the talents and abilities God has given me are gifts to be used for His kingdom and glory. Instead of wanting more, I am grateful for what I do have.
The act of coveting is important enough to avoid that it earned itself two of the Ten Commandments. Coveting is a constant temptation, to focus on what others have and what we don’t. Dwell in coveting and you’re bound to be bitter and unhappy. In this sense, for most of us questions of wealth and poverty are more attitudes and approaches to living rather than simply income. There are people with high income who live paycheck to paycheck and are unhappy with what they have and there are others who live frugally but feel rich with blessings.
In contrast to coveting, gratitude is a natural outgrowth of faithfulness. As the quote at the top of the page indicates, it is in giving thanks that we realize how rich our lives are. It is in the richness of gratitude that we offer our thanks. Thanksgiving isn’t just a sentiment. The Bible shows that thanksgiving involves sharing one’s blessings. God has blessed us, so we are called to be a blessing to others. In the Old Testament, the Israelites gave one tenth of their crops or income to the temple. In the New Testament as we’ve seen in our Acts Sermon series, the early church shared and distributed for the sake of the ministry. They shared out of the conviction that they were blessed by the Risen Lord!
Here at Amazing Grace we will celebrate our blessings on Stewardship Sunday. On October 21st we will celebrate the “riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). You will be asked to consider how you will support the church in 2013 and estimate your family’s giving amount and then present it during worship on a card. On this Sunday, we will have a special guest preacher, The Rev. Dr. Norbert Hahn of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Athens. While I will be the guest preacher at Holy Cross’s church.
After worship at both services there will be a celebration meal. Pooling our gifts of food we will dine together. At the dinner, which will take place outside, weather permitting, there will be a ministry fair, offering opportunities to share your gifts and talents.
In our life together, it is clear that we are a rich congregation. Rich with people, talents, and grace. I’m grateful for your support of this ministry and your participation in our stewardship program.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jason Talsness