2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and John 1:16
Rev. Jeffrey L. Phillips, pastor
November 8, 2009 – Stewardship Sunday
Stewardship Sunday – once a year we talk about how much of our money should go to God’s work in and through the church
Paul’s “collection for the saints”
Paul does not engage in the usual fundraising techniques:
emphasizing the need of the saints in
urging them to give from a sense of duty
saying how good it will make them look to the others
making threats
Instead, he takes the high road, making a theological argument
God’s grace - and our response to that grace
v. 8. “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that… you may share abundantly in every good work.”
Look at today’s bulletin cover
Picture
Verse – say together twice
This is the abundance Paul is talking about – God’s grace in such quantity that you just have to share it with others.
Old hymn “Count Your Many Blessings”
Material blessings - examples
Spiritual Blessings - examples
What does this have to do with the church?
The church is not the only place where gratitude for abundance is taught
But it is the only place where the source of abundance is taught and celebrated – from generation to generation
We help people understand that every aspect of their lives is due to God.
We help people understand that life only has meaning when you know God’s love for yourself and then give it away to others
We are the “God place” in a world that wants you to believe that you can live without knowing God and be perfectly fine.
Read verse again together from bulletin
We have not received from the work of our hands, but from where? (“Jesus’ fullness.”)
We have not received a little from Jesus. How much? (grace upon grace”)
And when you receive grace upon grace, fullness upon fullness, abundance upon abundance, it just overflows.
And one place it overflows is in the offering plate at church. This is Paul’s argument.
In our daily lives, do we usually emphasize our needs or God’s gifts?
If we focus on our needs, then there’s never enough. We say, “Fill my cup, Lord!” Then, when our cup runneth over, we go out and buy a bigger cup!
But we don’t need bigger cups; we need to use, enjoy, and be thankful for what is in our cups, and then let them overflow in sharing with others.
This is Paul’s point: instead of emphasizing our needs, let’s focus on the gifts and the Giver.
That’s what we do in the church, and we call it ministry.
But ministry is not cheap.
Hand out budget summary – discuss
But it’s not about numbers; it’s about ministry/purpose/mission: Lisa and Brad
Paul does use one fundraising strategy that modern fundraisers use – reminding people of what they get as a result of giving.
If you sow sparingly, you’ll reap sparingly.
If you sow bountifully you will reap bountifully.
Bountiful joy: “God loves a cheerful giver.”
Do not give because you are obligated.
Do not give because you feel sorry for people who will receive the gift.
Do not give just to meet a budget.
Do not give because of guilt.
Give because you are glad.
Give because you can.
Give because you have received “from Jesus’ fullness grace upon grace,” and it’s just too good to keep for yourself.
Don’t give until it hurts; give until you are laughing out of control - hilaron
Letter and card – next week
Stewardship insert today with percentage giving
3% increase, including 2% increase in staff salaries
Times are hard
You are very generous; giving in other churches is down – ours is stable
We ask a lot of you financially – General Fund, Faith and Family, Building Fund, special offerings, flowers, quarter tube, senior high mission trip
Thank you for giving faithfully…hilariously.
And thank you for considering giving even more.
*Stand and sing – explain “Abba” (not a 1970s Swedish pop group)
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