Friday’s thoughts on the sermon for October 22nd
One of the Scripture readings comes from Mark 10: 28-31
Peter said to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
Jesus looked at him and said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
When giving becomes a way of life, then life takes on a new way. The rewards for the grateful givers are many. They have the opportunity to explore some of the most important things this world has to offer. Their gifts are more important to the giver than to the recipient of the gifts.
I am planning to talk about some people who had given so much through the church and in so many different ways that we can see that our giving to the church is transforming.
There is Jenny who have what she had in the form of a piggy bank she had made as part of her rehabilitation. There is Irving who gave himself to worship in the church and was an usher, and there was Irving who wanted to talk to the congregation about giving, and who demonstrated the most amazing attitude of caring and reaching out after his wife, Mary, died. There was Pearl whose lived to be over 100 years old and whose gift to the church was her presence at church every Sunday morning.
According to the Biblical text these people received more than they gave. Since I knew them all I believe it is absolutely true.
What do we give?
What do we receive when he give?
If you have thoughts to share publically, please leave a comment with this post. For personal thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
I look forward to your ideas.
Charles
