MAKING CHRIST KNOWN - HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth, Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples..... "
Matthew 28:18-20Jesus' call to mission for us is clear. We are called to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to all peoples, everywhere. Our congregation is central to Christ 's mission. In our congregation we are strengthened through word and Sacrament so that we might witness and serve beyond our congregation - to the people you meet in your daily life - and - to all peoples, everywhere.
As stewards of the gifts of God, we are challenged to use our time, our talent and our treasure in support of Christ’s call for discipleship. We are asked to respond to a loving Lord who called us into the family of believers in our baptism.
In the order for the Sacrament of Baptism in the Lutheran Book of Worship, a verse from Matthew 5:16 is spoken as a blessing, describing our whole life before God: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. "
Letting our light shine is a matter of living out our gratitude to God, recognizing that we are claimed by God, in our Baptism, to make a difference in this world for the Kingdom 's sake. It involves giving ourselves, our time, and our possessions. It is our response; if is our way of saying thanks to God, sharing the gifts God has given us.
God, the Father demonstrates love through the gift of his only son, Jesus. Lord, help us give generously, so that others may know of your love.
TITHING SEEDS OF THE HARVEST!
In order that God’s people not forget the source of all that we have and are, God instituted for the Israelites a process of giving from the first fruits. Believers gave the best of the harvest or the vine as an offering to God. A tithe or 10%, was the accepted standard or law. The purpose of these giving practices was to remember God, and to declare through giving that God came first in their lives.
HOW TO GIVE:
Many people are confused about giving. Some of our confusion comes from trying to apply what the world teaches us about money and possessions to our Christian giving. But the Bible has a lot to say about how we should give:
The Bible tells us that each individual Christian is responsible for giving on a regular basis...weekly or monthly, whenever you receive income. I Corinthians 16:1-2
The Bible says a lot about our priorities. Loving and thanking God with our financial offering should come first...before rent, the mortgage, the car payment, even food. Giving first is a sign of trust that is much more important than the amount we give. Matthew 6:24-34
The New Testament declares That we are a new creation in the eyes of God. The Old Testament law provides standards for our living and our giving. Paul encouraged those who called themselves by the name of Christ to offer their gifts "...not as an exaction, but as a willing gift." 2 Corinthians 9:5 He also said "On the first day of every week each of you must put aside some Money, in proportion to what...., has been earned." I Corinthians 16:2
SECRETS OF A CERTAIN HARVEST
Christ set us free from sin and death and the "works of the law, " but he also set us free for life in God’s world and responsible citizenship in God's kingdom. True stewardship is knowing that everything we have and everything we are is from God. We possess, what God has entrusted to us, but we do not own it. We are responsible for the care of the earth, time, our physical selves, and our possessions, including our money, but most importantly we are accountable to God for their wise, just and loving use. It is a lifestyle of walking in the light and letting our light shine.
Letting our light shine because Christ Jesus involves all of life. Our giving is a witness to what is most important in our lives. Giving a proportion of our wealth, our time and our talent in the name of Christ is one indication of our faith and trust in God.
The faithful stewardship of our lives inspired and activated by the Holy Spirit enables us to participate fully in the baptismal relationship, recognizing our responsibility to God and each other.
Christian stewardship is the way we use, care for and share all of the gifts God has given to us; the gospel, our selves, our time and our possessions.
Just as the farmer sows good seed in fertile soil so that abundant harvest will fill the barns, may our response to a gracious card loving Lord be as loving stewards (good farmers) by using our gifts to MAKING CHRIST KNOWN - HOPE FOR THE WORLD!