Unexpected Answers

Dear Friends in Christ -

I had an interesting experience at the Children's Moment in the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Those amazing kids caught me off guard. It's caused me to think more deeply about money, about giving.

The scenario was this: I gave several kids $1.00. Ten dimes representing a week's allowance. And I set out some toys that I told them they could "purchase" for $1.00. But then I reminded them that Jesus asks us to give a tithe (10%) to him in gratitude for what he has given to us.

I asked them what they would do with their money, reminding them that they would get another $1.00 next week. One kid said he would give 10% to the church even if it meant that he would have to wait until next week to buy a toy. Two other kids said that they would give the full amount, the whole $1.00 to God - and skip buying something altogether. I was surprised by this unexpected answer. How generous (even if the response was motivated by the desire to give the right answer)!

But as we moved on from the Children's Moment into the rest of the service, something disturbed me. ARE WE REALLY MEANT TO GIVE EVERYTHING BACK TO GOD? IF SO, HOW?

So here are some fledgling thoughts on the matter:
1. Though on the one hand, it's incredibly generous to say that God can have all our money, it really already is his. He's entrusting it to us.
2. Only children whose parents provide them with everything they need could really give all their cash to God!
3. What God really wants is for us to live in a state of grace, gratitude, and generosity. GRACE: knowing that all we have and all we ARE (loved, redeemed children of God) is from God. GRATITUDE: giving God thanks and praise for all that He has done for us. GENEROSITY: giving a portion of what's been entrusted to us directly back to God (to the church, to others) as a sign of our gratitude and as an acknowledgement of our continued dependence on God and interdependence with others.

WHAT GOD MOST WANTS IS FOR US TO LIVE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND WITH OTHERS - RECOGNIZING OUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND OUR INTERDEPENDENCE WITH EACH OTHER.

Giving generously isn't so much about the money you give, it's about the attitude of your heart when you do it. Giving off the top - the first-fruits - at the beginning of the month, rather than giving the dregs at the end of the month - is an act of faithfulness though which you recognize God's true place in your life: the One who loved you from the beginning, the One who saves you day by day, the One who will be with you through eternity.

The gifts God has entrusted to you aren't loans to be paid back, they're gifts to be used. The reason you give a portion directly back to God is not because God needs it, but to keep you in right relationship with Him. The rest of what you're entrusted with - the other 90% is to go toward meeting your own basic needs and then to helping you fulfill your calling in the world.

Hmmm . . . . so much to be learned in conversation with the littlest ones in our parish family . . . don't hesitate to share your thoughts with me, too . . . I'm listening . . .
Blessings,
Janet+