October 14, 2007 Sermon
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Proper 23 – C Stewardship Sermon 1
October 14, 2007 Allan Conkling
It happens in the life of every kid who has any upbringing whatsoever: The day you learn to write and send a "Thank You note." Growing up in my house, having to write a thank you note was a routine that followed birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or just whenever the grandparents sent a card with a $5 bill inside. Heck, I would have hardly gotten the card open, tried on the shirt, or even played with the model airplane before my mother was there, stationery and pen in hand, insisting I express my gratitude before I did anything else. A phone call wasn't enough. No, I had to send a Thank You note. While other kids were outside playing or going to the store to spend their cash, I had a chore to do. Don't get me wrong, I loved the presents. But I hated writing Thank You notes! They say 'no job is complete until the paperwork is done,' and for a 10 year old this was like pulling teeth, but you know I made my kids do it too.
Looking back I now recognize that any resentment was the height of my immaturity. What would make me think that someone would want to give me something without me having to ever express gratitude? You can’t take and take and take without ever giving back in recognition and appreciation, thanks, to the giver. The connection, of course, is obvious.
Why is it then that we so often fail to make the connection between God's giving and our Thanking? How is it that one can look at the stars but fail to give thanks for the Creation? Are we so insensitive that we can look our family, live in this country, live our lives in the midst of abundance and prosperity, worship in this beautiful church, yet fail to see these things as blessings in life? How can we believe that we control our own destiny? How can we say, "All that I have is mine, to be kept for me and me alone"?
Perhaps it is way I was raised, but sadly, many people never make the connection. Like the 10 lepers who were healed, only one expressed appreciation. Nine lepers of the story were also healed, restored, forgiven and made whole. Perhaps they were in fact very grateful. Who wouldn't be? But their legacy in history is that they missed the greatest moment of their lives. They neglected to say thank you.
Today at Emmanuel we are kicking off our annual Stewardship Campaign. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to draw a connection between these readings and our life today. In a bit you will hear Eva Horton talk about what Emmanuel means to her. Those who have been here for a while will tell you that this church is here today because folks have cared enough over the years to give sacrificially to return to God a portion of what they were themselves given--and for that we are truly thankful. It will be our gift to the next generation to leave this place as we have received it.
Every year the temptation is to spend the time talking about Money. This is the time that we build the budget for next year. Tomorrow the Finance Committee meets. All around us all the Non-Profit organizations are raising funds: United Way, National Public Radio, Public Television, etc. Your financial pledge allows great things to happen. But again, but the point of Stewardship isn't about money! We are not fund raising. That's why you will never see a "thermometer" at the front of the church.
In the Gospel, one of the lepers turned back, prostrated himself at the feet of Jesus, and thanked him. These readings challenge us to "make the connection" between receiving and thanking. We too are invited to return to give thanks.
"It is meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God..."
Everything we have, everything we are comes to us as a gift from God.
As I do every year I am going to be asking that every adult, every household, fill in a Pledge Card and make a financial, and physical commitment to God for the coming year. As I do every year I am going to challenge you to think big, and consider making your pledge a Tithe (10%) of your resources, time and talent. Of course the amount you give is between yourself and God, but remember, we don't give because God needs us to; we give because WE need to. Stewardship, like the story today, is about saying Thank You to the one who has given us everything. In a way, that is counter intuitive, since our tendency is to think we have made it all. But Christians know better.
When I was a kid it was hard to sit down and write thank you notes. I even resented Mom coming with pen and stationery, before I had time to do anything else. Today, I don't mind a bit. When folks give from their heart I am truly grateful, and I want to tell them so.
Your pledge card is your Thank You note to God. It is your way to express gratitude. It is, as my mother would say, the right thing to do.
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Revised: 10/22/07