Sunday, Nov. 17: “Joyful Generosity” (week 3 of 4)

Our four week series Stewardship: Who do YOU see? continues with “Joyful Generosity”  Jesus spoke about money/wealth/possessions more than anything else except his central message of the Kingdom of God.  Today we focus on our individual response to God’s material blessings.

Malachi 3:1-12

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Luke 6:38

Saturday, November 16 – The point is this:

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.        –2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NRSV)

The point:  God provides it all...right?  Can we trust God enough to be willing to be cheerful givers, to sow bountifully so that God will bless us with abundance?  Generous God, make me like you.

Friday, November 15 – Testing God

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.   –Malachi 3:10 (NRSV)

Jesus tells the devil that it’s not proper to put God to the test (he’s quoting Deuteronomy 6:16).  It’s not proper to put God to the test... unless God tells you to!

This is a positive kind of testing.  God tells the people—who have been ignoring God and becoming real lax in their tithes and offerings (a terrible habit that shows up all too regularly among God’s people)—that they should “test” God to see what God will do.  This is how it works.  The people bring in their tithes and offerings to God’s house, then God will bless their land and crops...and then there will be more to bring as tithes and offerings.  Sounds like a great positive feedback loop.

God of blessing, prod us to be generous...as you are generous.

Thursday, November 14 – I’ve learned to be content

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.      –Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV2011)

My grandparents lived through the Depression.  They knew firsthand how to live and be content “in need.”

I remember my grandmother telling stories of times when, as a young girl, her family would have unexpected guests.  “FHB” was her mother’s code word at the table:  “Family Hold Back.”

It was my grandfather’s opinion that even though the Depression was hard, it produced resourceful and grateful people.  He thought another depression would be good for the country.  We’ll see what this recession produces.

How can we learn to be “content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”?

Lord, help us to learn to be resourceful and grateful people.

Wednesday, November 13 – What does loyalty look like?

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” –Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

Stores have various ways to gain and keep our loyalty...from excellent customer service and a broad selection of quality merchandise to reward cards and discounts of various kinds.

What keeps you loyal...to a store...or a favorite brand...or a TV show... or a friend...or to God?

Jesus cautions us about our attention to the gods who claim our loyalty.  Chief among those gods of pleasure, comfort, and convenience is the god of money...Mammon (the Greek word for wealth).

Where does your loyalty lie?  Where do you spend your time?  Where do you spend your money?  Those can be indicators of your loyalty.

What portion of your “treasure” and your time does God get?

God of all, create in me a clean & loyal heart...with time, talent, and treasure ready to serve you and yours.