Sermons

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Commitment Sunday

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:7,10-12

Pastor Jean M. Hansen

 

     We are gardeners for God: growing together. We receive the seed of faith, a gift from God, plant and tend it, and reap what we sow – that is, faith. I see that in my own life on this Commitment Sunday, as we focus on being stewards of that which we have received from God.

     For me, giving to the ministry of Jesus through whatever congregation I was a part is a life-long habit. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that reality. As a child and Sunday School enrollee, I received envelopes, miniatures of the larger ones used by adults. Each Sunday morning, one of my parents gave me a coin to put in it; that was a Sunday morning ritual.

     Also, through second grade, on the Sunday closest to your birthday, each child put pennies numbering one’s age in the bank that looked like a church, dropping them in while the class counted, and then sang “Happy Birthday.” No one forgot those pennies, or if they did the teachers must have had a stash of them. It was a moment of recognition and belonging. God bless the person who had to open all those envelopes and count all that change. I think we even got statements for our Sunday School giving.

     The routine changed a bit when I entered Confirmation Class in 7th grade, I was still expected to give, but the money did not come from my parents since I had my own funds from cleaning my Dad’s plumbing shop and babysitting. I do not recall that I was told what to give – maybe so – but the envelope had to have something in it when I left home.

     Once I was confirmed the matter was left up to me, but I continued to give, because the habit had been formed. I’ll admit that I sluffed off in college, although I usually attended worship at a nearby church. After graduation I joined a start-up congregation (not Lutheran) that taught tithing, that is giving 10 percent of your income as the standard for giving. The importance of each person’s offering was obvious given the small numbers, so I gave $20 a week when eating at McDonalds was a luxury. That’s when I began to experience the joy that accompanies giving and grasped that my faith was being strengthened as a bonus.

     Those early experiences shaped me, and my giving, and joy in doing so, and faith, have grown.  All that to say that I am a cheerful giver, and I know that many of you are too. Generosity is a matter of attitude and gratitude more than requirement and amount.

     The Apostle Paul reminds us of that in his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, which also was our focus last week. At the time this letter was written, Paul was raising funds for a relief offering for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who were experiencing a famine. The Corinthians had supported the collection well at first, but then neglected it, probably due to a fall-out with Paul. So, in Chapter 9, Paul is urging them to excel in the grace of giving. Today we read verse 7 again, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

     The principles in that one verse are important. First, giving is a decision, it requires intention and is not a spur-of-the-moment activity. Second, at its best, is not done reluctantly and is not the result of being pressured. That freedom to decide and act should create a smile and contentment for the giver.

     As our plant kit experiment and Bounty of Bread event have reminded us, God supplies the seed – all that we have and all that we are – and the bread – that which strengthens us to tend the seed, and in fact multiplies both, so that the result is a harvest of righteousness.

     One commentator noted, we have enough for today, more for tomorrow and some to share. That word “enough” is interesting, isn’t it? What constitutes enough? What constitutes more than enough? What constitutes extravagance?  What’s essential, and what is not? That debate is why I suggest deciding what to give to the ministry of Jesus first, and then determine other expenses – essential and non-essential. That way, God is not getting only left over … or not.

     Afterall, God blesses us so that we can serve God, entrusting us with who we are and what we have, so that we can give it away. We are stewards who use what we have been given according to God’s will.

     Let’s read verse 11 again, “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” What does that mean? Does it mean that God will enrich us with money and possessions? I tend to say not, but should probably settle on maybe. But consider this explanation by Pastor Michael Mark: “…the rewards of righteousness (generosity) manifest in our lives now. Your impatience gives way to patience, your greed melts to contentment, your pride gets knocked down to humility, and your hatred or indifference get swallowed up by love. Giving up some of what you have, in order to serve, love and meet the needs of God’s people will teach you these things. And still, these things are from God, but given in abundance, more than we can think of asking. When we see the brilliant value of the gifts of God, it helps us cheerfully give our temporal things to serve the needs of God’s people.” (1)

     The result of being faithful stewards of God’s gifts is that thanksgiving to God abounds. So, what thanksgiving is occurring because of your giving of time, money and abilities to Faith Lutheran Church?

     Preschool parents have been thankful for the faithful and loving start their children have received here for more than 40 years. Four 12-step meetings give thanks for space to meet and support one another. During challenging times, many members have been grateful for the kindness and encouragement they found here. Those for whom being here physically is difficult express gratitude for worship being live-streamed. The gift of music – voices, organ, band – stirs thankfulness when we gather.

     Our world is thankful, although it may not realize why, for people who learn about and follow Jesus. The Memorial Courtyard provides a place of peace to grieving, thankful loved ones. One of the beneficiaries of our laundry ministry told Dana, “You may think this is a small thing, but it’s not.” And, just last week I look jalapeno peppers from the garden to AsiaOhio for their food bank, and the coordinators literally celebrated being given “Ghost Peppers”, saying that their clients would be thrilled.

     And that, my friends, is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. What could be better than seeing people glorifying God because of our generosity? Today we celebrate God’s gifts to us, and we celebrate that we have an opportunity to commit what we have to God, so that our faith is strengthened, we are cheerful and thanksgiving overflows. We are indeed Gardeners for God: Growing Together. AMEN