EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY: TALENT Last week we began our Stewardship Drive by defining stewardship as managing, administering and overseeing God’s house and world. We talked about the stewardship of our Time, our need to be in worship and study together. We don’t want to be heavy-handed and frighten anyone away from the church like one pastor did. “One Sunday morning, Pastor McGhee noticed little Alex staring at a large plaque on the wall in the church narthex (lobby). The 7-year-old asked the pastor, “What is this?” The pastor replied, “Son, these are all our members who have died in the service. Little Alex asked very quietly, “Which one, 9:30 or 11:15?” (Perfect Illustrations, edited by PreachingToday.com, p41. Today’s emphasis is on Talent. I don’t really believe in competition among Christians? That doesn’t seem right. But here in Romans 12 we have Paul telling church members “to outdo each other” in giving honor. To see which of them can do a better job of it. This reminds me of the story of a mother making breakfast for her sons, Kevin, age 5 and Ryan, age 3. The boys were arguing over who would get the first pancake. The mother said, “If Jesus were sitting here, he would say, ‘let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’ Then Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, ‘Ryan, you be Jesus!’ ” When Paul told the early Christians not to “lag in zeal” he meant for them not to fall behind others in their enthusiasm for caring for those inside and outside the church. “Don’t allow anyone to be better servants than you.” Be ‘ardent in spirit’ means to feel great passion and devotion for sharing your abilities, skills and gifts. This competitiveness for the cause of Christ reminds me of the Quiz Bowl we had last month. One Wednesday night we divided ourselves into teams, ate pizzas and played games. At the end of the night the teams with the most points won prizes. But everyone was a winner because all of us had donated $10 to be on a team. And those contributions went to a worthy cause. By trying to “beat” one another at playing games we raised $400 for “Genesis: A Place of New Beginnings.” This is Good Samaritan’s safe home being built on Old Route 66 for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. We were being competitive with our talents and skills to help those in need. When Paul tells the early church to not lag in zeal, but be ardent in service to the Lord, he’s encouraging them to put themselves on the line. Help God’s people, welcome strangers and do whatever is necessary to make them feel at home. Put your needs in the background. See how much you can do to draw them in. Spiritual gifts are the unearned abilities that come from God, not from our genes or study or practice. We are to use them to build up the church, which is the body of Christ, the kingdom of God. How many of you have ever been badly mistreated? Persecuted means to be emotionally, physically or spiritually tortured. Cursed out? That’s verbal abuse, being demeaned and humiliated. The Christian response is to treat them the way they treat you, right? Wrong. The Christian response is Extravagant Generosity. Respond to the abuse with a blessing. Give your enemies what they do not deserve. This may well be one of the most difficult methods of stewardship to practice. Even more difficult than giving money. When you can help or bless someone who hates you, that’s a real Talent or Service, a holy habit to be cultivated. Someone talks about you behind your back? Love them in return. Someone can’t stand you? Treat them as nicely as you can. Is someone picking on you on your job? Be respectful and keep on working. Help them when they get into trouble. Practice the Extravagant Generosity that God extends to you every moment of your life. It will either make them wonder why you are different, or it will burn them up! The message of 1 Peter is powerful: Everything God has given you is meant to be used in service to others. If you have a talent for public speaking or exhortation, speak as if you are speaking for God – because you are. When you serve others, use all of the strength God has given you -- that’s why he gave it to you. In The Purpose Driven Life, pg. 229, Rick Warren wrote, “A non-serving Christian is a contradiction in terms.” It’s true. James 2:17, 20 & 26 reminds us that, “Faith without works is dead.” And generosity is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 2:22. In Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Bishop Schnase wrote on page 112, “Extravagant Generosity describes practices of sharing and giving that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. It describes lavish sharing, sacrifice, and giving in service to God and neighbor.” When you are Extravagantly Generous with the talents and gifts you have received, you give glory to God, not yourself. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement said, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you ever can.” This is still good advice today. Are you using your God-given Talent for God? No matter what you do – teach, cook, clean, watch the children, visit the sick, care for the dying, count the offerings, sing, play musical instruments, maintain the buildings and grounds, preach, share your faith, fill administrative functions, pick leaders -- it will never be more than what Jesus Christ does for us. Amen. |