I have here in my hands four
sermons...
a $100 sermon that lasts five
minutes,
a $50 sermon that lasts
fifteen minutes,
a $10 sermon that lasts a
full hour,
and a coin sermon that lasts till noon.
"Now, we'll take the
collection to see which one you want."
Or how about this story…
There were two men
shipwrecked on this island. The minute they got on
to the island one of them started screaming
and yelling, "We're going to
die! We're going to die! There's no food! No water!
We're going to
die!"
The second man was propped up
against a palm tree and acting so calmly
it drove the first man crazy. "Don't you
understand?!? We're going to
die!!"
The second man replied,
"You don't understand, I make $100,000 a week."
The first man looked at him
quite dumbfounded and asked, "What
difference does that make?!? We're on an island with no food and no water!
We're going to DIE!!!"
The second man answered,
"You just don't get it. I make $100,000 a week
and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a
week. My pastor will find
me!"
We laugh, but I think some of
us have this feeling about church and stewardship. The idea that the church is
only interested in you for money. That thought goes through your mind…oh the
church is talking about money…imagine that. While the church needs money to
stay open it’s not why we talk about money throughout the year.
Why do we focus on
stewardship?
How we handle our resources
is a window to our spiritual lives. The Bible tells us you can’t serve 2
masters.
Think about it, money is the
root of most of the evil in our country and in our world…the current financial
situation-greed…love of money.
And although some of us may
dislike stewardship sermons, it has become one of my favorite sermons of the
year. Stewardship is a time when we get to reflect on all of the blessings we
receive and continue to receive from God and explore ways and challenge
ourselves to give back to God and the work of God’s Kingdom.
Ultimately, we give to build
the Kingdom-to do something greater as a whole than we can do by ourselves. Let’s
take a look at a couple of parables about the Kingdom in Matthew.
This chapter is the
centerpiece of Matthew’s gospel…pivot point of the gospel…small stories but this
is what it’s all about…Jesus isn’t saying this is all about me-he’s pointing
the way to something greater…when we say we want to be part of the kingdom it’s
asking a lot…it’s asking not just for some or most, but all/everything…
it requires the best of who
we are to be the kingdom builders God wants us to be…when you catch a glimpse
of the Kingdom through Bible study, worship, outreach…you want more…seeking the
kingdom is not meant to be casual or a cathartic thing, but active and
participatory…
Matthew 13
44 “The kingdom of heaven is
like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then
in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of
great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
I think we would all agree
that when the Bible talks about the Kingdom it describes what it’s going to be
like or if we go one step further what Jesus says it should like here on earth.
In other words, when Jesus describes the Kingdom he is telling how it’s
supposed to be here and now as well how it will be one day.
And when we encounter the Kingdom,
even the smallest amount, it brings about a reversal of values leading to the
crucial action that obtains the new.
It is this action, puzzling
and out of step with those who live by the old values that is central in each
of these parables.
In the stories how is the
kingdom discovered?
The first one stumbled on it
by accident…they found it in their normal work. When our everyday act of giving
becomes a normal part of what we do…isn’t forced…we can find great reward and
joy in that. It’s in those moments that we come closer to God, closer to the
Kingdom.
Usually there’s something
deeply personal that connects us and that’s why we give. My friend Lisa was
living her life-got married had a son. But then discovered her son was
autistic. Now she and her family are deeply committed to autism research. Her
passion for giving was discovered in the ordinary.
If we have a loved one who has
cancer then we are more apt to give to cancer research. If something happens
then we become generous to that…Week of Compassion. Like person working in the
field
In the second story the
merchant was looking for great treasure. In the ancient near East pearl was a
symbol of the highest good. You have the person who is a diligent soul searcher.
If you’re looking for something you’re eventually going to find something
I think about a new member or
a new Christian they have the enthusiasm we don’t usually have as we have been
here longer…so giving and serving can become old hat-just doing my same old
thing so it loses impact for you…The new ones are going to find value in things
that others aren’t…we have to continue to push ourselves to keep it alive…being
more like the man in the second story discovering the treasure in our every
day.
The kingdom of heaven is more
valuable than anything else we can have, and a person must be willing to give
up everything to obtain it.
And stewardship is about
sacrifice.
Are we willing to sacrifice anything
for a relationship with God?
Each person found something
significant and they were willing to give their entire life to that…
Is that how you are with the
church or with your relationship with God. Are you willing to sacrifice for the
mission of the church?
Some of you have read Not a
Fan. Stewardship is a divider between fan or follower. We say that everything
we have belongs to God and that we owe everything to God because it is the
gifts, talents, and blessings from God that give us the opportunity to work and
earn money…but does it really? Are you a fan or a follower?
I promise that the sacrifice
is worth it because of what comes of it…
You may think that your gift
doesn’t matter…but look at what we accomplish as church together…LOGOS…CARE…Mission
El Reno…camping fund…other things we give to that are worthwhile-Lord’s
Harvest, Blessing Baskets, Mobile Meals, Ministerial Alliance, Heifer, Youth
and Family Services, Women’s Crisis Shelter, 4H group, Phillips Seminary..
in total we gave almost
$40,000 away last year…In 5 years of ministry here we have shared in ministry
for almost $200,000. Everyone makes a difference. I can say that 100% of your
gift goes to ministry. We each must push ourselves to sacrifice more for the
Kingdom.
The last question I want to
ask is what is your attitude towards giving? Is it one of open handedness or
tight fisted? One of joy or one of dread? In the parables both respond with
purity of heart. In both stories the value of possessing the Kingdom outweighs
the expense of discipleship.
Good things are happening
through this church. Children are learning of God's love. Food is being
provided for those who are hungry. Missionaries are sharing the gospel of
salvation and grace.
Youth are discovering their
God-given gifts and talents. Bible study is getting offered and people are
learning how to manage their money.
Prayers are being spoken and
care is getting rendered.
Yes, much ministry is being
done -- in the name of Jesus Christ!
What will you give, what will
you sacrifice to ensure the work of the Kingdom continues?
