Stewardship Thoughts from Senior Pastor, the Rev. Winton Boyd
October 15, 2009
The old adage that people (or churches) should not talk about money or politics may help us avoid conflict, but in the end it doesn’t serve our growth in life or faith. Since much in our lives is shaped by our political views and our financial habits, to leave those out of conversations and relationships that matter to us can result in confusion and uncertainty.
While stewardship season is not the only time we talk about money, it is an important time. The theme of our 2010 Stewardship season comes from the gospel of John: From Jesus’ fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. One of the key questions of faith, then, is how do we respond to the grace of God in our lives? How do we live with a spirit of fullness and generosity? This past summer, the Sunday morning Java and Jesus class read an article that helped me think about how I spend money and how I prioritize my giving. Three principles resonated with me that I think might be helpful for all of us as we consider our commitment to the 2010 ORUCC annual budget.
One principle is that the life of faith is about learning to cap our needs and desires. We cap our needs and desires in order to live with both gratitude for what we have and an awareness of the needs and challenges of others. Almost every credible guide to becoming wealthy suggests the key is not making more money, but spending less. In the same way, the key to becoming happy and content is not acquiring more but learning to appreciate what we have and nurture an authentic spirit of gratitude. One study suggested that more is better up to about $10,000 per person in a family per year. Above that, the quest for more drives behavior but does not bring contentment. While we might quibble with the exact dollar amount, in our heart of hearts, we know that the quest for more is an insatiable quest. The spiritual journey to contentment, however, is very attainable as we control our needs and desires. While this is a new approach to life for some, and while it is counter cultural, it can also be liberating.
Secondly, money serves us best when it fosters authentic and transforming relationships. This can happen at many levels. We can organize our giving in a way that leads to real relationships with the poor. One of the reasons we support the church is to support the development of significant and valuable relationships for ourselves and others. As we support various organizations and causes through the church or other groups, we can also learn how to get involved with people supported and nurtured through our gifts. Our family budget can focus on spending that builds family cohesion and unity rather just giving individuals within the family more toys. Maybe those activities involve buying food that requires working together to create a meal, games that invite interaction with each other rather than isolation, travel that enhances our time together rather than filling our time with noise and distraction. The possibilities, of course, are endless. The principle, however, can be a guiding light, a plumb line, the core around which our discretionary budget is shaped.
Thirdly, the adult life of faith almost always involves a shift in where we find security. Regardless of our background, almost all of us have to take the messages of our upbringing around money and, after prayerfully examining them, move to a more conscious, more intentional attitude about how we will live with and without money. The gospels invite serious questions about our security – questions that are rarely asked in our work places, our culture or even in our extended families. In inviting us to live a life of giving and serving others, the gospels narratives remind us that our security is not in what we have, but in the community we build and the God we serve.
The central question of a stewardship drive is not “how much of my money does the church want or need?” Rather, it is a prayerful examination of our lives, our priorities, and our commitments. It is our hope during this season that we can all reflect on God’s grace in our lives in order that we might share the fullness we know with the world in need.
Soon you will receive information and a pledge card in the mail. Stewardship Sunday is November 8. We hope and pray that you can help the church plan for its 2010 budget by returning that pledge card before or on November 8th. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Stewardship Appeal chair, Bob Ansheles.
