Stewardship devotion: Excelling in Giving - 2 Corinthians 8:7

Today’s readings: Judges 9:7-21 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-12

2 Corinthians 8:7       But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

We've just completed a new stewardship campaign at our church called Consecration Sunday. A lot of hours, effort, and focus were put in by members of the Stewardship Team, along with prayers and presentations. It was a very upbeat method of helping the members of the congregation to think about not just what they give, but also how and why they give. I think most of the good folks bought into the aspect of honoring God with their financial commitment. There were no guilt trips or undue pressure put upon the people, so we’ll find out if this approach has worked in the weeks to come.

Most pastors, like myself, worry about giving, especially in uncertain economic times. Added to the burden is the sad fact that folks are beginning to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to church all across society. People say that they are spiritual and thankful to God, but it sometimes does not manifest itself into regular worship and giving. Taking God for granted has always been a part of the human condition; these days it appears as though more people are majoring in self and minoring in God, forgetting that we live as creatures in His Creation.

Giving money, giving our time, and giving our hearts to God shows others that our faith is actually real. Being a Christian is the hardest faith on the planet because it requires commitment, devotion, and loyalty to Christ above everything else. As human beings, we all have skills, pursuits, activities, and gifts that we excel in; the tough question that we should be asking ourselves this morning is this: do we also excel in giving?

Questions for personal reflection

What do I give to Christ through the church? Am I excelling in giving?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the greatest gift in the history of the world. For our sake, You left the riches of Heaven and became part of a poor refugee family on Earth. For our sake, You gave everything that You had, including Your precious life, on the Cross at Calvary. Without Your gift, we would be cut off from God forever. By Your blood, Your Church was established to continue Your mission on Earth. Challenge us today, so that we may cheerfully, faithfully, and exceedingly give to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest Nativity images called “Bethlehem Lullaby.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/10916628304_9c9bf3f08f_b.jpg

Stewardship devotions: Their Own Means - Luke 8:3

Luke 8:3         Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 

            We tend to forget that there were on-going costs involved with Christ’s ministry. After all, when He traveled around the Galilean region with an entourage of at least a dozen others, someone had to foot the bill for their lodging, food, and clothing. A three year itinerant ministry would cost a lot in sandals and sandwiches, even if you could every now and then feed a multitude of five thousand people.

            From Luke’s Gospel, we get an idea of those who supported Christ financially – they were women who had been healed miraculously. They were grateful for Christ’s compassion and His holiness which completely restored them to their personal domestic lives. Whatever they had suffered from, Jesus cured them. Whatever pain, isolation, depression, or sickness they had had in the past, Christ healed them.

            Their gratitude was expressed in financial terms. Whatever they had to give from their own means, they gave cheerfully and willingly to support Jesus. His ministry meant everything to them, so they wanted to help Him financially. Whenever we think about the effective support that was given to Christ’s work, we tend to think in terms of the number of disciples; however, without the quantity of money that was given for His ministry, even Jesus would not have been able to complete His work across the Galilean region.

            Perhaps the main lesson that we all can learn from this passage is one of cheerful stewardship. After all, Christ still depends upon how gratefully we give to the work of His church, in order to continue His ministry in our world today.

Questions for personal reflection

Why do I give money to the church? How do my contributions help to fulfill Christ’s ministry in my community and around the world?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, without financial support Your Church, in local communities and throughout the world, could never function or flourish, or even fulfill the Great Commission. Your ministry on Earth still needs our resources and money to effectively accomplish Your work around the globe. Help us to reflect upon what and how we give of our means to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest digital glass designs. It’s called “Common Cup.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7713499924_2648e0ed42_b.jpg

4 Minute Devotions: Blind Faith

In these harsh economic times, how can we maintain our faith and excel in giving to the church? A story from 19th century France shows us the way. A reflection on 2 Corinthians 8 v7.

Podcast version here

There’s an old story told about a seamstress in 19th century France who happened to be blind. One day her church was trying to raise some money for a mission and she handed over 20 francs. In those days that was a lot of money and her seamstress friends around her wondered how she could give so much to the church.

“What does it cost you,” she asked them, “to pay for kerosene to light your lamps, so that you can work at night?”
“About 20 francs a year,” they replied.
“Therefore, because I am blind,” the seamstress explained, “the Lord saves me 20 francs per year. I want to give it back to Him, so that this mission can bring the light of the Gospel to other lands.”

2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

It’s a beautiful story and a reminder that even in these trying financial times, the Lord’s work carries on throughout the world. As we each try to budget because of high gas prices and the soaring cost of food, let’s not forget the blessings that God sustains us with each day. Even in the midst of an economic recession, God never holds back or diminishes His blessings to us. So let us all take this lesson to heart and make an intentional effort to excel in this grace of giving, even in these trying times.

Prayer: Lord God, if we take time to really look for them, we will discover wonderful blessings in each of our lives. We take so many of them for granted that we forget to truly thank You for all that You do for us. Thank You for Your loving kindness, grace, and love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.