Stewardship focus

October 10, 2023

Dear Friends,

This Sunday during the announcements I introduced a focus on stewardship that we’ll have for the next several weeks. There’s a common complaint, that churches are always asking for money. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’d invite you to see how this is different. There’s the nuts-and-bolts of church finance – how to pay the pastor and keep the lights on and help those in material and spiritual need. That’s one conversation. But the conversation we’re having is the one that comes before all that: What does the Bible say about money and its place in my heart?

This stewardship focus is going to look like this: some bulletin inserts, a few comments from me after the service, a Bible Study in a couple weeks, and then an opportunity for you to examine your relationship with your money.

I’d like you to think of this as routine maintenance. I’ve been pastor at Concordia for 4 years this month, and in that time I have seen incredible generosity, trust in God, and charity towards those in need. And when all of that is so abundantly clear, it’s a good time to do maintenance. Here’s how Paul puts it in 1 Thessalonians: “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more” (1 Thess. 4:1).

Here’s the analogy – you change the oil in your car every so many miles as a matter of course. You don’t wait for the oil light to go on or the engine to start making funny noises. And that’s how you keep things running smoothly. The same goes for our hearts. Let’s take some time now and on the regular to do some routine maintenance on our hearts – in particular, with regard to money!

Here’s the bulletin insert from this past Sunday – more to come in the Sundays ahead!

God bless and keep you,

Pr. Buchs

Talking about money: Why?

Well, the easy answer is: the Bible talks about money.

But why does the Bible talk about money?

You can boil it down to a few reasons. The Bible teaches us 1) who money belongs to, 2) what it’s for, and 3) how to avoid falling in love with it.

These are all really important topics. On the one hand, the money that God lends to us in this life is useful for accomplishing tremendous good. Think about how the Good Samaritan used his money to take care of the poor stranger who was beaten and left half-dead. Think about how the saints in the early church took up collections for those in need. Think about how families use their income to put food on the table, clothing on their bodies, and a roof over their heads.

On the other hand, in no uncertain terms: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). See how much easier it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. See how the poor are tempted to cheat and steal in order to make up for what they lack. See how your heart goes with your treasure, and you cannot serve God and Mammon.

In the coming weeks, we’re going to take some time to talk about money, just like the Bible does.

This kind of thing is good to do regularly. Just like a lot of other things you do regularly – change your oil, go to the dentist, get a physical – a routine check-up and maintenance is good for the soul.

But let’s make sure that we’re starting in the right place. Let’s hear a few passages from God’s Word to set the stage:

Everything we have belongs to God:

“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine” (Psalm 50:10-11).

“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

God has promised to take care of us:

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek hiskingdom, and these things will be added to you” (Luke 12:27-31).

God wants us to be generous givers:

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:32-34).

“As you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you- see that you excel in this act of grace also. . . . The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 8:7, 9:6-8).

During the rest of October, take the opportunity to think prayerfully about your relationship to your money. Next week we’ll say a bit more about some specific questions: how much should I give? And how does giving to church fit in? And what if I don’t want to? But for now, rejoice and be glad that God has been so generous to you – making you his children and promising you all that you need for this life and the next!

COMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, October 10 @ 7pm – LWML Bible Study & Meeting Wednesday, October 11 @ 5:30pm – Family Night Thursday, October 12 @ 6 & 7pm – Elders’ and Council Meetings Saturday, October 14 – Fall Bazaar