Growth in Giving - Day 33

September 27, 2012

"13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  14 And they said, "some say John the Baptist, but other Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?: 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah?  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you , but my Father in heaven.  18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rick I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah." 
Matthew 16: 13-20

Matthew 16:18-19 stands as the conclusion to Jesus teaching about the 'confession of faith' we hold and the response we make to that faith-filled confession. (Read Matthew 16: 13-20) Once Peter's confession of faith is made, Jesus blesses and directs that faith into discipleship - disciplined action.  It seem that we as disciples, followers of Jesus, hold some power in the discipleship process.  We, apparently, hold the key to either restrict (to bind) or to unlock (to loose) God's reign or influence in the world in which we live.  It begs the question, "Are we 'binder' or 'loosers' of God's reign among us?  Are we desiring for God's love to be bound or loosed on earth...and in heaven?"

One wise pastor once wrote.  "Money....is love in a storable and exchangeable form."  That definition freed me to ask the members of the congregation I was serving at the time to take out their pocketbooks, hold them in their hands, and then to exchange them with another congregational member sitting nearby.  A nervous chatter was heard around the sanctuary, making very evident the uncomfortable feelings that most were experiencing as they complied with my request.  That 'uncomfortable feeling' became a starting point for realizing the power we hold and wield with our money, our 'love in a storable and exchangeable form.'

We are being asked as members of SSLC to enter into this 'uncomfortable feeling' we experience as we consider our own use of the 'money' gifts that God has showered upon us.  We are being asked to consider how we are either restricting or freeing-up these gifts in God's world around us.  I encourage each of us to enter into this process, to do the stewardship math, and to prayerfully open our pocketbooks and consider increasing the 'love' gifts we share through SSLC and the ELCA...to the glory of God and the extension of God's kingdom.  May God bless this 'uncomfortable' stewardship work.

Lord, You have revealed your grace in Jesus and blessed his teaching among us.  Help us through the uncomfortable feelings we experience as we do the hard work of being 'good stewards' of Your gifts and free us up to be generous in our giving.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Author:  Rev. Bruce M. Hobert