October 30, 2011 - "And Why?"

John 3.16

Today, Consecration Sunday … to put before the LORD a financial promise for 2012.

Today is also Reformation Sunday … when we remember the work of the Reformers - Luther in Germany, and the Swiss Reformers, Calvin in Geneva and Zwingli in Zurich … from Calvin comes theological currents in which we still swim today - the sovereignty of God, the covenant, a high regard for science and the arts, and a just society.

From Calvin’s Geneva to Scotland’s John Knox … and from Scotland through the British Isles … and from the British Isles, to the New World … 

Today, Reformation Sunday … we celebrate the Reformed/Presbyterian Tradition … just the other day, off of El Segundo, to the east of Hawthorne Blvd., a Hungarian Reformed Church … 

Churches in Europe that adhered to the vision of John Calvin came to be called Reformed … and they came to the States here - German Reformed, French Reformed, Dutch Reformed, and Hungarian Reformed.

From those churches, here and in Europe, missionaries spread out across the globe … that’s why we find Presbyterian Churches all over the world … Presbyterians are never content to simply enjoy God; it is our spiritual DNA to share God … to move into the world, build churches, hospitals and schools - spread the gospel … to make this a better world.

In the British Isles, the Reformed Churches came to be called Presbyterian - because of our form of government - we are governed by Presbyters - from a Greek word that means “elder” - an older one, literally, and figuratively, one charged with the task of oversight, caring for the community of faith.

I’m a teaching elder … Ann Marie is a ruling elder … and together, we form the Board of Elders - responsible for the spiritual and material welfare of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Calvary on the Boulevard.

A part of our care for the welfare of Calvary is the teaching of stewardship - to manage the affairs of our lives, to the honor and glory of God, in such a way, that we can be good and faithful givers.

Two weeks ago, we turned our attention to the question, “To Whom do we give?” 

Last week, the question, “How much?”

And today’s question, “Why?”

Why do we give?

There are several good answers.

Number one, we give because God gives … created in the image of God, it’s our nature to give.

We give to our parents.

We give to our children and grandchildren.

We give to worthy causes and we give to the glory of God.

We are, by nature, givers.

Sure, there can be selfish streak in all of us, but our deepest nature, our truest character - we are givers, because we are created in the image of God.

Number two, we give to support the work of Christ through the local church, and through the local church, to the church around the world.

Let me underscore something very important - the efficiency of the church - dollars given are carefully used and guarded for the work of Christ.

The church is primarily volunteers … and even at national headquarters, and with our missionaries, no one is making a big salary, no one gets rich with our money.

Monies given to the church are monies well-given … and because our overhead is small, better than 90% of our monies go for the actual work of mission. That’s about as high as it gets, and better than most charities. If we want to fund a cause that uses money well, there is no better cause than the church of Jesus Christ.

When we pay our per capita, we’re underwriting the administrative costs of the church - with per capita, we pay for paper clips and pencils.

So that our mission money all goes to mission.

The church is a very efficient steward of our monies.

Number Three - we give to free ourselves from the power of money.

Money’s a big deal - always has been, and will remain so until the end of the age.

Money can take us by surprise, and before we know it, money takes center stage … like the Bible says, it’s the LOVE of money that’s the root of all evil … and if we’re not careful, we lose control of our money, and our money gains control of us.

Every time we give, we declare our freedom from the power of money.

Every time we give, we celebrate our trust in God - that God will provide … like seed scattered in good soil, an abundant harvest is promised.

Giving declares our freedom from the power of money.

At most, God asks only for the Tithe … only in the rarest instances does God ask for more.

Jesus asks the wealthy young man to sell everything, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow him. Such a radical demand is the exception, not the rule.

Yet for all us, God invites us to be good stewards.

Paul says, set aside a reasonable amount every week … the tithe can be our guide, the half-tithe our goal … whatever we do, choose a percentage, and then put pencil to paper, and calculate the amount.

God ask a few important things, one of which is faithful giving of time, talent and treasure.

We can do it.

It’s in our nature to give.

All we need sometimes is a gentle reminder … or maybe a firm reminder - giving cleanses the soul and frees the mind … a person who gives is healthier, happier and stronger.

Good giving is good living.

Amen and Amen!

October 23, 2011 - "How Much?"

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

October 16, 2010 - "To Whom?"

Psalm 116

Starting today, and for the next two weeks, it’s Stewardship Season … a time to review the whole business of giving … with a special focus on our money.

Who doesn’t think a lot about money?

We all think about it.

And we think about it a lot.

How much we have, or how much we don’t.

Every day, a lot of time is spent dealing with money.

Making it.

Spending it.

Saving it.

Investing it.

Paying bills with it

Wondering if we’ll have enough.

Money is truly a big deal.

And it’s a big deal for the church, too.

We have a building to keep up.

A staff to pay.

We buy music for our choir.

Curriculum for our Sunday School.

Paper and pencils for the office.

Soap and paper towels.

Money’s a big deal.

And we need to be thoughtful about it.

Three questions guide us for the next few weeks:

To whom do we give?

How much do we give?

Why do we give?

This morning, To whom do we give?

Someone might say, Well, pastor, that’s easy enough to answer. We give to God!

True enough.

We give to God.

The God who created the heavens and the earth … and breaths the breath of life into each of us every day of our life.

Genesis 1 - the whole universe - the big picture - the sun, moon and stars - every creature, great and small, including the creepy-crawly things.

And Genesis 2 - God and a handful of dirt, and a puff of God’s breath, and the dirt becomes a human being … 

The God of many journeys … who walks with us and talks with us and guides us through the day.

It’s helpful now and then to take stock of such things.

To count our blessings, and name them one-by-one.

To remember the LORD our God who gives us life.

This God of many of journeys.

God big enough to create the heavens and the earth.

Small enough to fit into Bethlehem’s cradle.

Strong enough to die for the sins of the world.

Gentle enough to live within our heart.

The Psalmist celebrates deliverance.

The Psalmist writes an honest story.

No fairy tale here … there’s heartache and trouble … tears, stumbling, grief, and betrayal … life is no bed of roses for the Psalmist.

We don’t know the details.

We don’t know the story.

We don’t know when, what and where.

But something bad happened.

And the Psalmist cries out for help.

Did help come immediately?

We don’t know.

How long did it take?

Days, months, years?

But deliverance came at the right time.

And now the Psalmist writes with gratitude.

The LORD hears my requests for mercy.

In the end, things turn out all right.

The dark night of sorrow passed.

The sun rises.

The clouds have departed.

A new day dawns for the Psalmist.

Because of God’s goodness.

God’s mercy and love.

The underpinning of our life.

The source and the destiny.

The Alpha and the Omega.

The beginning and the end.

And everything in between.

When we sit down to consider our Pledge Card for next year.

When we pray about what we might be able to give.

When we look ahead to the future, it is right and good to remember how the LORD’S hand has been upon us … leading and guiding us, through thick and thin, sick and sin … in the middle of the night, and in the light of day … 

The God of gracious presence:

I am with you always, to the end of the age.

I will never leave you or forsake you.

Where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there.

And when everything is done, you’ll be with me forever!

Stewardship begins with praise and thanksgiving.

With confidence in the LORD, because the LORD is good, and the LORD’S sees us through to the end … the One who gives us Jesus Christ, gives us all that’s necessary for the needs of the day … our daily bread - for body and soul, in this life, and in the life to come.

To whom do we give?

We give to the LORD our God, ever-faithful to us, and loving us forever. Amen and Amen!

Stewardship - Oct 28 07

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

# How many evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, but the bulb must repent of its darkness and be willing to be changed.

# How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten, but they will need to debate whether or not the bulb actually exists. Even then, they still may not change it, for fear of alienating those who use florescent bulbs.

# How Many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
None. God has predestined when the lights will be on and off.

# How Many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They use candles.

# How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten, one to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the darkness.

# How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
Three, one to cast it out, and two more to catch it as it falls.

# How Many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and two or three committees to approve the change. Oh, and also one to provide a casserole.

# How many Independent Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, because any more than that would be Ecumenicalism.

# How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

# How Many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?
Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

# How Many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb?
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual Light Bulb Sunday Service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

# How May Amish does it take to change a light bulb?
What's a light bulb??

Did you know that you’re a light bulb … sort of … Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world.”

“Let your light shine, so that folks may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Speaking of good works, how many Presbyterian incomes does it take to support a pastor?

Ten.

How many Presbyterian incomes to support a building?

Twenty.

How many Presbyterian incomes to support a ministry?

Ten.

Simple math - based upon God’s math lessons … the tithe, the giving of ten percent …

10 to support one … 20 to support one building … 10 to support a ministry.

Simple math …

Pencil to paper … how much income anticipated? What’s ten percent of that? We begin where God begins.

Simple giving … giving according to God’s principles … a massive celebration of life and love … a celebration of all things good and decent …

A celebration of our mission to the world … every piece of research reveals the church to be efficient, responsible, and consistent.
A celebration of love … for God so loved the world … and with God’s love in us, we love the world, too … one neighbor at a time … down the street, across the town and all around the world.
A celebration of trust … what we give is pleasing in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD will provide all the more for us.
A celebration of our freedom from fear of not having enough, the greed spawned by fear, and the anxiety of fear. Giving sets us free.
A celebration of Christ … we give for Him, we give to Him, and through Him, our gifts – the fish and loaves – are multiplied a thousand fold, a million fold, and His name is exalted.

Now, let’s talk about circumstances …

Sometimes we’re in a pickle … unexpected situations; financial set-backs … too much debt … God understands … God knows our life, through and through … God knows the hard times we face … God knows what can happen … God understands.

Sometimes we’re blessed abundantly, with more than we expected … our cup runneth over; the coffers are full.

Whatever our circumstance, work with it on paper.

It’s important to set a target percentage … will it be three percent, four, five, two, one?

Pencil to paper keeps us alert and thoughtful – pencil to paper makes giving a part of the program, a part of who we are, what we do.

If it’s 3%, 2%, 1% - do it …
If we can half-tithe - do it …
If we can tithe - do it …
If we can add offerings to our tithes, do it.

Bill Evans remembers a pastor saying: “Give until it feels good.”

When we give according to God’s plan, it feels good …
When we give for the sake of Christ and His glory, it feels good …
When we give to set ourselves free from the entrapments of wealth, it feels good …
When we give to relieve suffering, it feels good …
When we join arms with our sisters and brothers at Malibu and in Louisville and in Hungary and in the Sudan and Belize, it feels good …
When we give to keep a church on the corner of 80th and Sepulveda fully functioning, it feels good.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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.

“Give and it shall be given unto you is the still the rule about life.”

By the way, how many Presbyterians does it take to change the world?

One! … You! … Amen!