Pastor's Pen - February 2007

Dear Friends in Christ,

This year the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 21. One of the traditions of the forty day Lenten period was a renewed emphasis in peoples’ lives for the care of others in the giving of alms. To share what one had with others who were less fortunate was in a small way symbolic of the great sacrifice that Jesus had made on the cross for the sake of the redemption of the whole world. As we do not live in an area where one regularly sees people on the sidewalk or by the side of the road seeking assistance, how can we become more aware of our responsibility to help those who are in need in useful ways?

The money that you give that is marked for general benevolence is one of the ways that we are about the giving of alms in the society in which we live. Those general benevolence gifts help the church at large to meet needs of people whom we do not know and with whom we will never have contact. As important as it is for us to support our own local ministries, it is equally important that we do not forget that we are not alone in this world and that God’s bounty is not just for a few but is to be shared with all of God’s children.

Money is always a delicate subject and it seems especially to be the case in the church. Yet it is true that Jesus had more to say about money and its use than virtually any other subject that he talked about. Jesus knew human nature and its greed. Jesus knew that the world measured worth not based upon one’s being in the image of God but rather on the basis of money, power, and social status. Jesus also clearly knew and taught that salvation is based upon the former and not the latter.

It is one thing to be frugal but it is entirely another to be cheap. Sometimes we in the church are confused by the two. Centuries ago workers might spend a lifetime building one of the great cathedrals as a witness to God and to their faith. Today we put up steel buildings that look like offices or manufacturing plants and call it modern. It isn’t about being fancy or grand. It is about witnessing to the God who gives us life and is the most important thing in all of life.

Ultimately, stewardship of all the gifts that God has given to us is a matter of faith. Whether it is our benevolence giving, individually as well as congregationally, or it is the care of the facilities we use for the proclamation of the gospel, if these become frayed in any way perhaps it is a sign that our faith is becoming frayed as well. Lent is a time to grow, to grow in faith , to grow im witness, and to grow as stewards for the kingdom of God.