Let those who have ears, hear.

From Stewardship for the 21st Century:

The Culture of Scarcity
By George Haynes

2 Kings 4:42-44
John 6:1-13
Numbers 11

We learn in the first reading that, “They all ate—and we’re talking about 100 people—”They all ate and had some left.”

Similarly, in the second reading we learn that, “They ate until they were full.” All 5,000, every single one, ate until they could eat no more.

In both stories God abundantly provides for the two groups of people.  The first reading makes it very clear that there wasn’t just enough food but an abundance: “They all ate and had some left.” In the second story even after all 5,000 of them ate until they were “stuffed” (which is the exact meaning of the Greek word used in that sentence), there were still 12 baskets full of food that hadn’t even been touched.

Let me give you another example of God’s abundance. When 600,000 Hebrew people begin to complain about not having meat, Moses, their God-appointed leader, comes before the Lord, crying, “Where am I to get meat to give all this people? I am not able to carry this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat.’”

“Gather the people,” Moses is instructed, “[and] tell the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow and you shall eat meat, for you have wailed in the hearing of the Lord … Therefore, the Lord will give you meat and you shall eat … You’re going to eat quail until it comes out of your nostrils!’”

But Moses said, “The people I am with number 600,000 … Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?”

The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

Hang on, here it comes! “Then a wind went out from the Lord and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp, about three feet deep on the ground.”

A truth of these three stories is that no one who comes to the Lord ever goes away hungry; no one who enters into the presence of the Lord ever goes away empty—no one.

How can this be?  The answer lies in a second truth of the stories: our God is a God of abundance.

What we have been seeing and hearing is absolutely typical of God’s behavior. You would be terribly mistaken if you think this kind of abundance is a thing of the past, limited to the pages of Holy Scripture or biblical times.

Whoever has ears, let them listen: our God is a God of abundance.

To access the entire sermon click on The Culture of Scarcity.

as always, crossposted

Hey ya’ll!

As always this thank you letter is available for ripping off, downloading, and copying widely for distribution in bulletins, on bulletin boards, or to your church council who wonders to themselves “what does happen to our Mission Support money we send in every so often/month/quarter/year?”

Find the downloadable pdf and cut and paste text here, each and every month. Looking for more ideas on how to share with your congregation how the ELCA is making a difference in the world–look no further than this link.

Inquiring minds want to know, and we are always happy to help answer and tell the story of our faith, in ACTION!

April 2009: Mission Stories for the Minneapolis Area Synod

Mission Support: Church, Synod, and Beyond!

The WHOLE Church Together in Mission

Dear Partners in Ministry at the Minneapolis Area Synod:

May the peace of Christ be with you in this joyful season of Easter!

As we celebrate together the resurrection of our Lord, we also rejoice in our life together as the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. The ministries we share in common touch people and change lives close to home and around the world.

As you gather and share together the proclamation, “Christ is risen, indeed!” picture this reality: around the world—in China, Japan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Liberia; in Germany and England, California and Texas – that same proclamation is being made!

And then there is this reality: your financial support to the ELCA through the Minneapolis Area Synod helps to make that shared proclamation possible. Just as your gifts allow your congregation to carry out the work you share as your congregation’s mission, so your gifts make possible our shared ministry in Minneapolis and around the world.

If you would like me to come and talk about our shared work with your council or adult forum, please don’t hesitate to call (612-230-3314) or e-mail (g.ose (at symbol) mpls-synod.org) me.

Thank you for your part in this mission we share!

Easter Peace,

Glenndy Ose
Bishop’s Associate

Gift Giving from the Heart

Here is a really great article from our friends at Share Save Spend. Timely and sage advice we think. Share with your congregation!

From http://www.sharesavespend.com/newsletter.aspx

Can you name one holiday gift you received last year?

If you are like most, it might stump you for a while. Often times the gifts we do remember are those that are something special; gifts someone made for us or gave in our honor, like a charitable donation. It’s really quite amazing when you think about it. We scramble from the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) to some time in late December to purchase a bunch of stuff for people who may not even remember what we gave them. I don’t want to be a downer, but that’s a lot of stress, money and running-around for a forgotten memory.

My point in raising the issue is not to discourage you from buying gifts this holiday season. Rather it’s to step-back and think about the things you do buy (or make) for people and how your values and their interests are reflected in those decisions. Gift-giving should be joyful not obligatory, but that’s often what happens because we don’t plan ahead and really think it through.

My friend Shelly takes great joy in buying gifts for people. Whether it’s a close family member or a friend, she is extremely thoughtful about the whole process. She starts early in the year by planning ahead and making note of the following: who she is buying for, what their interests are, how the gift might add joy to their life and where she might buy the gift (she loves antique shows and thrift-stores because it fits with her reuse and recycle mentality). She also sets a strict not-to-exceed budget and never, ever goes into debt to buy gifts. And unlike most of us, she completes her gift purchasing well ahead of the holidays. Suffice it to say last-minute impulse shopping is not in her vocabulary.

Best of all, Shelly derives great joy from giving gifts to others. I know because I’ve seen her in action. She’s as excited about the person opening the gift as the person who’s actually opening the gift. It’s really quite amazing. But as I watch her in action it reminds me how truly joyful gift-giving can be. And let me tell you, people remember Shelly’s gifts.

A wise person once said, “Bad habits are developed when times are good and good habits are developed when times are bad.” Given all that is happening in the economy these days, it’s a great time for all of us to rethink our gift-giving habits to see if they pass the “Shelly test.”

One Share Save Spend Idea:

In my lifetime I have never experienced the economic challenges that we facing right now. At Share Save Spend, our goal is to help youth and adults ‘think about, talk about and do money’ in ways that honor their values. To help you in this effort, we are offering a first-ever 15% discount on all of our Share Save Spend tools and resources through the end of 2008. It is our way of saying thank you for supporting our work. To receive the discount, type in Holiday08 in the coupon code during the check out.

Money Talks: One question for teaching about money

How can you infuse Shelly’s joy and intentionality for gift-giving into your holiday routine?

Gotta Have It Now WOW!

In 2007, American individuals and families gave more than $220 billion to charitable causes around the world.

From one of our own!

This post brought to you by Luther Seminary and Stewardship for the 21st Century.

This article features one of our own pastors in the Minneapolis Area Synod, Pastor Scott Searl from Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior.

Stewardship Of Money Without An Ask

Greetings!

At Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, there is an intentional emphasis on a Christian perspective of financial transactions. The congregation engages in conversation about these issues at a time when there are no efforts to receive funds for the congregation.  The focus is to have Christian stewardship values be reflected in all financial choices.

Grace & Peace,

Jerry Hoffman
Director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders
Luther Seminary

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Stewardship Of Money Without An Ask

Many of us believe there is a financial crisis at hand, and that we as a community of faith should have something to say about it. If the life and teaching of Jesus is something that we take seriously, then shouldn”t we have a faithful financial response to Jesus” message of hope, love, generosity and compassion? Shouldn”t we live lives that demonstrate these values, even with our financial choices?

One potential response is to learn to share first, save second and spend last. It is an approach that feels like an honest response to the stories of Jesus who poured out healing, life-giving, and life-sharing hope to all. Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree. Together through sermons and discussions during the month of January we will explore the question of living a faithful financial life.

Each January brings the opportunity for reflection, for resolutions, for thoughts of what could be new this year. Who might you meet? What can you predict, and what may surprise? How might you grow? Hearing the story of the Baptism of Jesus, we are reminded first that we are beloved, chosen by God.

Here is an example of sermon series for 2007:

1st Sunday -  “Share, Save, Spend”

A guest preacher,  Dr. Kathryn D. Blanchard introduces the series on Share, Save, Spend. Dr. Blanchard preached on  Martin Luther’s Pastoral Teachings on Money. Always one to speak boldly, Martin Luther is sure to engage us in very lively thought!

2nd Sunday -  “Share”

Jesus blesses us and says when we gave to the least of these who are members of his family, we gave to him. He even takes it further and judges those who did not give food, drink, a welcome, or a visit during sickness or prison. The invitation is to live with open hands.

3rd Sunday -  “Save”

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years … the seven lean and ugly cows are seven years.” Financial wisdom includes planning ahead for those lean times.

4th Sunday -  “Share”

Jesus blesses us and says when we gave to the least of these who are members of his family, we gave to him. He even takes it further and judges those who did not give food, drink, a welcome, or a visit during sickness or prison. The invitation is to live with open hands.

- Scott Searl

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This series is heavily influenced by the work of Nathan Dungan at www.sharesavespend.com.

A Message to God’s Stewards in Times of Uncertainty

Fear and finance seem all wound up together.  The following links (in bullet points below) take you to words of guidance and encouragement from the Bishops of the ELCA, and from Mr. Ed Kruse, the Director for Stewardship in the ELCA.   Fear can do funny things to the way we feel and act about money. But the still greater danger is that fear (the opposite of trust) can actually undermine a believer’s capacity for trust in God. We do not stop being stewards when times are bad. We ARE stewards, sometimes better, sometimes worse, but always stewards of the wholeness of life, for Jesus’ sake.

Download these messages and please share them in whatever way makes sense with your congregation.

• A Letter From the House of Bishops re: the Financial Crisis
• A Message to Stewards In Times of Uncertainty

Blessings to you.