We are in the middle of our semi annual stewardship campaign. Well perhaps it is more of a bi-annual campaign. We don't do one every six months and only every other year or so. Well, anyway, October is Stewardship month at our church.
Okay, I know some of you don't like these kinds of things but I do. I like them because they remind me that I need to renew my commitment to Christ and the church every so often. I am reminded that Jesus spoke more about how we manage things than he did about a lot of other stuff. I am reminded that the ministry of the church depends on each one of us.
Do you remember the story about the stranger who rode his tired horse into town. It was late afternoon and the man was very tired and hungry. He knew no one in this town but thought that the townspeople might be willing to share a morsel of food for a weary traveler.
As he rode into town, he waved to the people but they only stopped to stare. He got off his horse and approached one of the villagers and asked for a bite to eat. "We have had a poor harvest here and there is barely enough food for our family. You won't find anything to eat here."
From house to house the story was the same. The stranger saw that the people were very disheartened and fearful. So he went to the village square where several folks were gathered. "Gentle folk of the village," he said, "I have in my hand a special stone that will help you make it through the long winter. this is a magic stone. With it we can make stone soup."
Well, by now you may remember the rest of the story. One by one, the villagers brought vegetables, seasonings and such to the fire to watch the man make soup out of the stone. And before long, everyone had a full belly and best of all, the stone soup had brought them all together.
That is the reason, we ask people for a commitment. We ask everyone to put something into the pot. God tells each one what to bring. And when we do, everyone gets filled, even the strangers, and we are all brought together.
I would love to visit with you this Sunday. Come by and let's have some coffee and who knows, maybe a pot of soup. Allen
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2 comments:
I wasn't sure where to post my thoughts on this matter...under "stewardship time" or under "what I have learned", but here I go.
When I count my blessings, I quickly become overwhelmed. Not only do I count the great, sweet, fun things that happen so richly in my life, but I also count the trials through which God teaches me. I have learned that sometimes the tough days which lead to tears or the sick days that try my faith bring me back to the point where I realize that God is present, in control and I am not alone...ever.
So when I think of my stewardship, I try to give in any way I can. My prayers, my presence, my gifts and my services. I can never match God's kindess to me, but I am thankful for each day He gives me to try.
My two cents.... Angela
I agree Angela, that when we count all of God's blessings to us, it is overwhelming and you are also correct that stewardship involves all of what we have, gifts of prayers, presence, and services. As I was told a few years ago, God is good all the time. I think Stewardship is about remembering that one fact. Allen
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