e-Soundings

Greed and Giving Thanks in the midst of Adversity

Day by day we are learning that much of our current economic crisis is the result of one age-old human charactistic: greed.

Even Alan Greenspan gas said as much when he recently admitted that he trusted in the banks and other financial institutions to self-regulate.

Greed, however, was more powerful than all the good intentions and all the good people who worked in those institutions.

Too bad he didn’t check in with the Church first.  As faithful Christians, we honestly and openly admit that we often fall short of perfect behavior.

We know that unless we are held accountable, spiritually and in our behavior, we will take every advantage we can to give ourselves the “edge.” 

This tendency to put ourselves first, even at the cost of others, is called “sin.”  And sin is the result of the God-given gift of free will and choice.

This simply means that we naturally choose to “look out for #1,” …to seek self-survival as our basic attitude.

It’s in trusting that kind of attitude that has led us all to become caught up in this economic tsunami of historic proportions.  All of us, up and down the line, have all desired our “piece of the pie.”  As a result, many of us over-reached, and the credit “house of cards” has tumbled.

Into this world of self-focussed individuals, God has done something astounding and unbelievable.  God has loved us.

God has loved us in full recognition that we want to “go it alone” and “do it our way.” 

God has loved us with a love in Jesus Christ that shows  us that even death will not stop the unconditional love of God.

This kind of love gives us hope and promise even in a world that has become even more uncertain and frightful than we thought.

This kind of love give us strength to realize that what really counts, an eternal love and a soul healed by God, is able to withstand the loss of all

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

It seems as if that famous line will get a new meaning in our lives.  We know it is going to get worse before it gets better. And we know it’s been pretty good for us in the recent past.

The years of easy credit are at an end and the experts say that we will be better off for it.  (Easy for them to say!)  We are now in the midst of a great retraction of our economy.

Our parents and grandparents knew the value of a dollar and tried to keep their debt in line.  But our society has ignored that advice and now we find ourselves in a major “credit correction” that none of us would believe could happen.

Spending will be reduced, stores and factories will be shut down, people will be laid off.  It will not be easy for any of us.

So how will our lives change in the coming economic slow down?  Will our food become simpler and more basic?  Will our cars

Words to live by from Mother Teresa

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

 

If you are kind,

people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

 

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

 

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

 

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

 

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

 

For you see, in the end, 

it is between you and God.

It never was between you and them anyway.”

~Mother Teresa

God owns everything. We own nothing.

 

However, we have been given charge to “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to (our) care.”  (Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary)  This is the definition of being a “steward.”

 

When we talk of “Stewardship” and being “Stewards for God” we are recognizing the truth of our opening statement: We own nothing.

 

Everything has been given to us by God. We depend on God for our total existence.

 

And developing an attitude of Stewardship is one of the most important challenges in being a Christian.

 

It’s an attitude that gets to us right in the pocket book, right in the place where we live. 

 

It involves every decision we make all day long: how we spend our money, how we spend

Responding to the Economic Disaster

We know a little more about our economic situation this week than we did last week.  The picture still looks bleak.

 

The Stock Market continues its slide, effecting many people in retirement. People involved in sales predict a faltering Christmas season as we all tighten our belts.  Lower sales will mean layoffs and reduced manufacturing in the New Year.

 

Like a Midwestern winter storm settling in for the long haul, our economic storm is likely to bring chilling effects on us all for quite some time.

 

It has been noted that churches often grow stronger in times like this.  Many of the distractions that come with “discrectionary income” are no longer attractive. 

 

People looking for a less expensive way to be with their friends, to meet new friends, to renew old relationships, turn to the activities of churches and other civic groups.

 

In addition, God gives to us a unique power and strength as the “body of Christ.”  A strength that has lived through deeply troubling times as well as widely successful times over the sweep of centuries.

 

It’s true that there is a source of spiritual strength to be found in churches, but another reason is the fact that our spiritual strength is not kept within.  It empowers us to reach out and provide help and strength to others as well.

 

Churches like ours provide faith and hope, but they also provide food, clothing and the other necessities to those in need.  Already a few people are talking about how we could double the 2^nd Harvest Food distribution that we have here on a monthly basis. 

 

Rummage sales might be transformed into a regular neighborhood flea market and “pop up” sunshades might be set up on the front lawn to offer some cool water & spiritual refreshment to those who pass by.

 

How do you think a church fellowship like ours, with the strength and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, might be able to reach out and help each other and those around us during this economic down turn?  What resources has God gifted you with that could make us an “oasis of hope?”

 

I’m sure that God is putting something on your heart.  How might we help see it grow and blossom within the

Mission

/ Vision / Core Values of this dynamic and loving fellowship?

 

How goes it with your soul?

 

Grace and Peace,

          Pastor Terry