1 Corinthians 15.57-16.4, 2 Corinthians 8.1-15
Whatever the call,
Whatever the cause,
We sit down and calculate.
How much can I give?
Time, talent, treasure.
When it comes down to it, time is probably the most precious thing we have … we can’t save it, we can’t over-spend it … we can’t hurry it on, and we can’t slow it down … time marches on, at its own pace, and we only have so much of it, and then, the clock ticks its last second away, and we’re gone … dust to dust, earth to earth - still the simple reality of life … yet in between, the dash.
Have you noticed the dash in obituaries?
The date of birth; the date of death … and the dash in between.
The date of our birth; the date of our death - not much we can do about beginnings and endings. But in between, the dash; the dash belongs to us! Or at least a part of it does.
Most of the time, we don’t have much choice - we have to sleep, we have to eat, we have to go to work.
But there’s time in there that demands a choice.
There’s time that will be spent one way or the other - wasting time, which is a good idea now and then, and using our time to make this a better world.
How much time can we give to the cause of Christ?
Like anything else, we have to figure it out.
Surely Sunday morning is one of our commitments … can’t always make it here, I know that, and some of us have difficult work or school schedules.
But steadiness on Sunday is vital … choosing to arise in a timely manner, getting ready without undue delay, a thoughtful drive to the church, not harried and hurried, so that we’re ready to engage in worship - to greet others with a smile and open arms …
Sabbath time.
Sunday time.
Time to worship the LORD.
How much time can we give?
During the week as well … every church has its meetings … sometimes too many. But face-to-face time is essential.
Email and phone calls are great … but time together is vital.
Hearing and seeing and watching others.
The sound of the voice.
The cast of the head.
How the body is held.
How much time can we give to the cause of Christ, and how much time can we give to one another in the fellowship of Christ?
If time is precious, talent is powerful.
Putting our shoulder to the grindstone, our hand to the plow, our feet on the ground.
To get the job done.
Sunday school teaching.
Singing.
Leading the liturgy.
Cleaning up after worship, putting things away, hanging around afterward to see what needs to be done.
Answering the call to be a Deacon, and elder, or a committee member … putting our talents to work.
Show up to help … join in … make things work.
We all have talents.
Some of us are good with money management.
We know how to make plans.
Carry them out.
Some of us work well with others, and some prefer working alone.
Some of us like to speak in public.
Some of us are prayer-warriors.
Some of us share our faith effectively with others.
Some of us have the gift of hospitality … we like to have people in our home, and we like to visit with others.
Some of us like to cook.
To find those places where our talent can make the difference.
If time is precious, talent is powerful.
How much talent can I give?
And then treasure.
Treasure goes where we can’t.
The dimes we give here end up in places all around the world … missionaries, hungry children; build a school, a hospital, or a church; dig a well, encourage peace-making; train nurses, community development, fair-trade practices … treasure goes where we can’t.
Treasure, or money, as I said last week, IS a big deal.
A big deal for all of us.
And a big deal for the church.
How much can we give?
10%, the tithe.
5%, the half-tithe.
2 or 3%
Whatever we give, it’s important to put pencil to paper - calculate - what percentage do I wish to give? That’s the best place to begin.
The tithe is no longer a requirement, but it’s a worthy goal.
The half-tithe is probably where most of need to be.
If hard times come upon us, then maybe less.
But we need to put pencil to paper, and figure it out.
The percentage, and then make a promise, fill out the pledge card - “LORD, this is my faith promise. As you have provided in the past, so I believe you will provide my daily bread today and tomorrow. And here’s what I plan to give,” and then name the amount, and sign your name!
It’s between you and God, and just a few people here who are delegated with the task of overseeing our financial life together. I don’t know what anyone gives; never have and never will. It’s a private thing, and it’s always handled with great discretion by those who are charged by the church to be good stewards of what God’s people give.
Time is precious.
Talent is powerful.
Treasure goes where we can’t
How much can we give? Amen and Amen
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