March 17, 2017
Lenten Devotions – Contribute Regularly

When any organization looks to bring volunteers on board, they look to people who might be able to contribute specific amounts of time and energy. The more that people are able to contribute to a ministry, a mission, or a task, the more the organization depends on their experience. Contributing regularly, whether it is of our time, our resources, or our gifts then not only helps to fulfill the mission and ministries of any organization, but it also means that our stewardship becomes a lifestyle.

“From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!” Psalm 22:25-26

“St. Paul speaks of two motivations for giving our selves, our time and our possessions to God’s work. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, he appeals to the model and example of Jesus and asks us to give as Jesus did.

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, he reminds us that God promises to richly supply all that is needed for us to continue to give.

The model of Jesus and the promise of God’s provision motivate us to be generous. Our generosity honors God, the source of all generosity. Our generosity makes God’s purposes known. By God’s power, our generosity provides the announcement of the Good News of salvation and the deeds of mercy, the actions of love, which serve the needs of people everywhere. Our generosity draws us closer to God, the Giver of all good gifts.

Generous deeds shape our lives and our understandings. Through generosity we begin to know more deeply and more broadly the graciousness of God. Generosity does not change God’s behavior toward us, but it changes our behavior toward God.” (Lenten Devotional Stewardship Principles, We walk together as stewards in God’s church, ELCA, 2012, March 1)

If there is something we enjoy doing, the more we do it, the better we become. We see this in the areas of sports, music, business, and even in the church. If you want to be an Olympian, you need to devote many, many years to your sport. If you want to be a success in business, you must spend many, many hours honing your business skills. And if you want to be a follower of Jesus, it helps to spend many, many hours reading the scriptures, understanding his teachings, and following his commands. Jesus tells us that to live in relationship with him, we must remain in him — “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” And to remain in Jesus, we must contribute many, many days, hours and years in honing our following skills.

This week, as part of your Lenten Discipline, collect one stick of deodorant or one pack of razors each day and bring them to church on Sunday, March 19.

Pastor Dave