In the story of Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, we hear how Jesus offers to the rich young ruler and to us a new way of living, not one more new rule. We read a story about how Jesus changes the question from “What is in it for me?” to “What is God asking of me in light my God-given talents and abilities and in light of our shared mission together – to give, to share, to contribute?” 

Throughout the Bible, God gives to prosperous and poor people great responsibility. Thank God, for example, that the Good Samaritan had the financial resources to help his neighbor (Luke 10:25-37); and that Aquila and Priscilla had the resources to support the work of the early church (Acts 18:1-2). Such people displayed great strength in how they gave to others. They understood Jesus’ words that to whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48).

Surely, one of the most widespread misunderstandings of our day is how we think giving means “giving up” something, or “being deprived of something,” typically, something “I want” or something “I feel I need to have,” this sense of entitlement, which only perpetuates an attitude of self-impoverishment, a smallness of heart and mind.

Surely, we ask ourselves that there must be another way; and, of course, if you are a follower of Jesus, there is! There is another Way: it is the Way that asks us to examine ourselves to see what we may be lacking: what is the “one thing” that I need to address that prevents me from giving or serving, or from committing myself to Christ? What do I need to let go of?

That is the question we want to invite you to ask: what do I need to confront in myself to walk faithfully with Christ?

Pastor Andy Kinsey

When it comes to your faith walk, are you a tourist or a pilgrim? Your answer makes the difference in your experiences and how you live your life. 

A tourist packs not only their camera and binoculars but also a good supply of assumptions, expectations, and preconceived conclusions.  Take for example those tram rides or lifts that carry you to the top of the mountain: a tourist climbs aboard already knowing / assuming what they want to see;  brochure and camera in hand.  They get to the top, snap a few photos and selfies, admire the incredible view and then hop back on and rides back down.  At which point they purchase a souvenir to remember it all.

A pilgrim gathers in the same area but rather than board the tram, they slip into their day pack, tighten the straps and start hiking - taking it all in: the steep incline, rocky terrain, possible storms, the heat, discomfort, the unknown.  They are committed to the experience and invested in the journey.  They reach the top, tired and sweaty,  make their way to the lookout area and sit down - absorbing the anticipated view.  They might take a photo but even without it, the scene is etched in their mind and heart.  After some water and a snack to refuel, they tighten up the laces on their boots, sling the pack back on, and make their way back down, not needing a souvenir to remember what they just experienced. 

Who got more out of the trip?  Who invested more in the process?  Who came closer to knowing the value of where they were, what they saw, who they met along the way, and how they were changed?  I have nothing against tourists, I have been one and I am sure I will be again.  But when it comes to our faith walk - our journey with God and our pursuit of living a Christ like life, I pray we all strive to be a pilgrim in how we live, serve, and love. 

Mark 12:41-44 contains a powerful story of a widow with a pilgrim heart.  These four verses speak volumes about how we are to give of what we have and how to live as pilgrims of faith rather than tourists.   It is the widow who shows the very heart of giving and it wasn’t about the amount she gave - it’s never about the amount.  It’s about the heart.  It's about understanding Jesus is more interested in the motivation of our heart than the assumptions in our head.  

 The Widow's Mites
​Two mites, two drops, yet all her house and land,
Fall from a steady heart, though trembling hand :
The other's wanton wealth foams high, and brave ;
The other cast away, she only gave  by Richard Crashaw 

Jesus wants us to want to to give not because we have to or feel guilty or pressured to write that check or support another project, but because when we give sacrificially, it means we understand it is about the relationship, not the deposit slip.  It is the relationship with God and others, not the relationship with money and materials.   That’s how Jesus makes the greatest difference with what we give - in the building, bridging, and sustaining of relationships.  

Tourists don’t have time for that. Tourists see their faith from a safe distance - they make assumptions and count on their preconceived ideas and conclusions.  They take in the view like they would from the top of the mountain or like the sights of a new city.  So often, as tourists we give what is comfortable, predictable and measurable, not so much what makes us uncomfortable.    
 Commentators tell us that of all that we learn from this woman and her giving, there are three foundational lessons.  First, real giving is sacrificial - it costs us something.  Real generosity gives until it hurts and I would add, until it makes us uncomfortable, because in the uncomfortable we learn, like Josh did, there is so much more to our growth and experience.  In the uncomfortable - when our expectations are transformed is when all we can do is trust God will provide.  Whether it is money, time, talent, or the giving of our most vulnerable self, our deepest emotion, our biggest dream, or our smallest desire. 

Second, real giving has a certain recklessness in it.  The woman might have kept one coin.  It would not be much but it would at least be something, yet she gave everything she had.  There is a great symbolic truth here.  It is our tragedy that there are so often some part of our lives, some part of our activities, some part of ourselves which we do not give  Jesus.  Somehow there is nearly always something we hold back - “just in case.”   

Third, it is a strange and lovely thing that the person whom the New Testament and Jesus hand down to history as a pattern of generosity was a person who gave a monetary gift so small, it barely counted as a penny yet has brought huge dividends.  The widow is our example of the heart of giving, we just have to put our hiking boots on and trust the journey is worth it.  

Pastor Jenothy Irvine

As we read the passage from Matthew’s Gospel about wise and faithful servants, or as unwise and unfaithful servants as the case might be, we get a picture of how we might understand what Jesus would have us to do in living a kingdom-life, in being open to God.

Indeed, as we enter into a time when we consider the ways in which we steward our blessings, or take care of what God has given to us, we realize how stewardship involves not just our financial resources but our time and talent as well. What blessings does God want you to give?

It might seem counterintuitive, but God is blessing us, even now, even with all the challenges we face. God is blessing us, and entrusting us with gifts to share with others.

It is why we want to invite you to write a story of blessing. We can gain strength from others when we hear what the Lord is doing in their lives. After all, that is what stewardship is about: it is about taking care of what the Master has given us and then turning around and blessing others.

In Jesus’ parable, we learn what it means to take care of what the Master has provided, We learn how a faithful and wise servant is one who, when placed in charge of the household, knows how to care for it when the Master leaves (Matthew 24:35-41).

In this parable, the wise and faithful servant works when the master is away (Matthew 24:45-47). That is, he works on sharing with others, making sure the house is in order, getting out the message, being responsible, treating others with respect, unlike the unwise and unfaithful servant who pretends to work and who partieswhen the master is gone (Matthew 24:48-49). After all, with the unwise and unfaithful servant, there is only pretense, there is only dishonesty and lying, as he mistreats other servants and wreaks the household. The unwise and unfaithful servant is only playing the part.

To which Jesus points out the consequences: such unwise and unfaithful people will find themselves outside the realm of God’s grace when it is over (Matthew 25:30). There will be crying and teeth grinding (Matthew 24:51).

What does Jesus' parable teach us about taking care of our resources and treasures? What does it communicate about acting faithfully when the Master is away?

Pastor Andy