October 16 - 22, 2006
October 16 - 22, 2006
SOLI/Update
www.stewardshipoflife.org
Jesus' encounter with the rich man in Mark 10:17-31 offers a mirror for
21st Century Americans Like the rich man, we Americans tend to think of
ourselves as righteous and resist thinking that our money gets in the way
of our spiritual lives.
You remember the story: Concerned about his eternal life, the rich man
comes to Jesus for a spiritual check up. Jesus finds that all is not well
with his soul. Our Lord's prescription -- that the man sell his goods and
give to the poor -- leaves the man grieving as he departs, for he owned a
lot of possessions.
Too bad Mark didn't give us the next step in this man's life, for it would
have been interesting to see how he followed up on Jesus' advice. There
are two possibilities:
Perhaps the rich man was sad because he knew he would NOT take Jesus'
prescription. He would keep his possessions. And for the rest of his life
he would endure doubt, guilt and speculation about what his life might
have been. He would wonder why Jesus wanted him to sell his stuff. And he
would continue to have doubts about his eternal life.
Or, perhaps the rich man was sad because he knew he would, indeed, bite
the bullet and follow Jesus' instructions.
In this case, we would expect to witness the man's spiritual
transformation. Perhaps seeing the good his charity could do, the man
would be inspired to greater compassion and generosity. Or the man might
learn that he could get by with a lot less money and possessions than he
had ever thought possible. And most importantly, the rich man would see
through the world's lie that his possessions define his life and indicate
God's favor. And this truth would set him free to serve God fully
and define his life by God's terms. And then he would have no doubts about
his eternal life.
Inviting the members of our American congregations to give is often a lot
like Jesus' encounter with the rich man. Many stewardship appeals leave
our members guilt-ridden and sad. But instead of just pleading for their
money, we can invite them to step onto the path of spiritual
transformation and freedom that comes from detachment from wealth.
-Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster
Copyright (c) 2006, the Rev. Robert Blezard. Want to
reprint this essay? See the note below.
New this Week:
Stewardship at the heart of the lectionary
Stewardship is a year-round education effort, right? So here is a weekly
resource that highlights stewardship themes in the lectionary texts coming up
for the following Sunday.
Click here for "Stewardship at the heart of the lectionary,"
from ELCA
Stewardship Resources.
Tithing
is a matter of priorities
"I have never
regretted tithing. It changed my life and my perspective. It opened my heart
to be more generous and to see where I can give instead of acquire. I pray
that owning a house again does not change that, but I know it will not ever
make me an ex tither."
Click here for the latest weekly column
by Pastor Dana Reardon. To read past columns,
click here.
Talking with your donors ... not speaking to them
People
are being bombarded with requests for money, but some smart planning can help
keep your church's needs from getting lost in the mix. "We hear more and more
donors complaining about how tired they are of being 'sold to.' We forecast
this level of ennui will only increase, and it will take our collective
imaginations to shape messages that will work in an environment that is
cluttered."
Click here for "Talking with donors,"
from
OnPhilanthropy.com.
Give with Pure Joy!
In this sermon, The Rev. Ronald Burcham, pastor of
Gloria Dei
Lutheran Church, LCMS, Urbandale, IA, talks about attitudes of
giving. "The number one danger is that what you are giving to is to a church
or an organization, not giving it to God. There is a difference."
Click here for "Give with Pure Joy." Good
stuff. This week's
Treasure Chest offering.