EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY: TREASURE
Mark 12:41-44
Stewardship Pledge Commitment Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007
Pastor Londia

          Let’s review from the last two Sundays: We learned that biblical stewardship is the management of God’s world, God’s church. The three forms of stewardship we practice are Time--giving God attendance and participation in worship and study. Talent--giving God skills and spiritual gifts. And today’s theme is Treasure--giving God our money.

          One Sunday in church, a little boy took off his tie and put it in the offering plate. His mother asked, “What are you doing?” He responded, “The preacher told us to give our ties and offerings,” (1002 Humorous Illustrations by Michael E. Hodgin, Zondervan, 2004, p259). Yes, the pastor is going to talk about money today. So you can go home and say, “I’m not going back to that church, all they talk about is money.” Perhaps you feel the way this child feels: (Children’s slide on genie.) “I belong to you, Lord. You can have all of me, except my money.”     

          Hear Bishop Schnase’s description of Extravagantly Generous churches (Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Abingdon, 2007, p119). When you willingly give back a portion of what God has given to you — you are expressing gratitude and concern for others: You are funding our annual contribution to the Good Samaritan Resource Center through the Ministry Alliance; and supporting Central Machuuquele UMC, our Mozambique sister church in Mozambique. You are supporting children and youth programs, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Wednesday Night Live and other Christian education resources. You are supporting thousands of missionaries, here and abroad. You are helping hurricane and earthquake victims. You are feeding, clothing, sheltering and providing medical care for the poor. Your money is changing lives, making a difference in the world. We should be grateful for the privilege to give. We should be grateful to have something to give.

          We have heard the personal stories of those among us who honor God with faithful giving of their Time, Talent and Treasure. They didn’t sound grumpy or prideful, just grateful. We have heard how God has faithfully provided for them and their families through the years. They know first hand, that when we give to the church we are giving to God. Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” The storehouse was the place in the Temple where the priests kept everything needed for worship and teaching. Jesus endorsed tithing in Matthew 23:23 when he told the scribes and Pharisees that they should tithe and practice justice, mercy and faithfulness.

          I pray and think about what our church would be able to do if we gave with Extravagant Generosity. Our nursery would have enough workers to take care of our children and those workers could attend the worship and Sunday school of their choice. Our playground would be covered with the recycled rubber surface and filled with state-of-the-art play equipment. Our kids could invite their friends to a nice Youth Center with a gym, and our scout troop and community groups would be welcome. And we would have enough rooms and ball fields for classes and meetings and events, safe activities in non-threatening space for the unchurched to meet Christ.

          Extravagant Generosity is about loving God and our neighbors enough to sacrifice for them. “Pledge campaigns are not about money, dollars, and budgets but about mission, spiritual growth, and relationship to God” (p119). Do you see the connection? When you give out of love, you grow spiritually because you are giving as Christ gave. The more we imitate Christ, the more we become like him, and we can more fully relate to others. Some of you may work or have worked where you get bonuses for achieving goals. The Christian bonus is unearned eternal life. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself.” This is the Great Commandment. It is our motive for giving. God doesn’t need for us to give, we need to give.

          Today we have an opportunity to make a spiritual commitment to God through his church, by practicing the stewardship plan that God established for his people: Tithes, ten percent of our income, and offerings. Your pledge will help us to be good stewards as we prepare a ministries-based budget for 2008. If you are unable to give 10%, pledge the percentage you are able to give, then pray about increasing it by one or two percent every year. When children receive a dime – teach them to put a penny in the church bank. Youth – receive a dollar, put a dime in the offering plate. Start out young tithing and it will become second nature. Lay aside God’s part first, then take care of our other responsibilities. That’s good stewardship.

          Jesus was like the poor widow – she gave the most because she gave her all. Jesus lived in poverty: no home, no income. He didn’t even own a burial plot. He was buried in someone else’s tomb. Yet he was the most generous person who ever lived because he gave his all. Only Jesus could teach that the poor widow’s offering of less than a penny was more than the riches of the wealthy. He was explaining that not all need to give the same amount, but we all need to give as much as we can. By putting in all that she had, she demonstrated her faith that God would meet her needs. Is Jesus able to use your giving as an example of Extravagant Generosity? Can he brag on you to his friends? I don’t know, but here’s what I do know:  2 Corinthians 9:7 says that each person should give what they have decided in their hearts, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, let us continue the work of the one who gave his life for the world. Let’s surrender all.