J.B. Phillips’ daughter, Vera, writing in the Foreword of her father’s autobiography, The Price of Success, says:

“I hope this book will bring to his many worldwide friends something of the ‘other side’ of J.B.P., my man of God. It shows, not only his beginnings and background, but some of his lifelong ambition to communicate and his conviction that:

‘God is the great reality His resources are available and endless. His promises are real and glorious beyond our wildest dreams’

and:

‘In Christ…death can be safely ignored and Heaven confidently welcomed.’”

Last week we concluded our opening fall sermon series as we explored images which help us in understanding our identity as the people of God. And today, we begin a new series of sermons entitled “Growing Gifts of God.”

And with today being Stewardship Sunday on which we will talk about money – you may be wondering why I started with J.B. Phillips and his confidence in ignoring death and welcoming heaven. It is because I believe there is a close connection between money and that which goes beyond life, namely, God. But before we consider that – let’s first look at our culture and where we often find ourselves.

Paul Erdman expresses it well:

“The entire essence of America is the hope to first make money – then make money with money – then make lots of money with lots of money.”

And the flip side of making money gets expression in the other side of the equation – and it is that nearly everything else we do in our lives we do as consumers.

Everything!

From the time we’re born into our consumer-oriented society, we begin learning how to attempt to buy the time of our lives. And then when we leave this world, we are greatly missed by our families and friends – salespersons, investors and creditors.

Perhaps this line of Paul Theroux in The Mosquito Coast fingers the issue:

“We eat when we’re not thirsty, buy what we don’t need, and throw away everything that’s useful.”

Or as a Joe Mirachi cartoon depicts it in the “Saturday Review” where a wife is asking her husband – whose face is buried in the newspaper: “Has it ever occurred to you that there might be more to life than just what’s going on in the world?”

You see, faith struggles with the integrity of combining the unseen world – which money cannot buy – with the things of the seen world – which money can buy.

For the next few weeks we will be looking at investments. And although we commonly associate investments with money – I would like to suggest – that through the eyes of faith – investment is a total life perspective. And so, with a framework that deals with more than money – let’s look at money.

When we make a financial investment – whether it be stocks, bonds, C. D.’s, real estate, or whatever – we generally can anticipate a rate of return (or appreciation) within a particular time frame.

In our parable for this morning that Dick Peebles read for us – each of the servants was given a gift – a sum that today would be several thousand dollars. If the ruler of the story is to be compared with God – then our take away from the story is that we are to grow gifts with God.

All were to invest their gift, and as it increased, they were given even more. But the last servant didn’t even invest the money with which he had been entrusted because he was afraid. And though it seems unfair, the little he had was taken away.

Let’s remember, however, whose money it was in the first place – God’s. And when it was not used for growth – the responsibility to further utilize the gift was taken away. And also keep in mind, that those who did grow gifts, were not rewarded with a lump sum pay-out like hitting the lotto and living happily ever after. No, they were given greater responsibility for growing greater gifts – all within God’s kingdom purposes.

Each of us is faced with a fundamental decision today. Either we believe that our life and all the stuff of our lives – our money and our possessions are ours – or we believe that in the final analysis – it is all God’s. This decisive issue determines the framework for our living – and therefore all the subsequent investments we will make – either as possessors or stewards.

Hear the words of the Psalmist of old from our first lesson,

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”

Now friends, either we believe that today or we don’t. And if we do, then we will invest our money – and a good portion of it – to God’s work. Because if we don’t, we don’t truly believe it.

Show me how you spend your money, and I’ll show you what your values are. You know, it’s funny how a twenty, fifty or one hundred dollar bill can look so big when you take it to church and so small when you take it to the mall.

A modern day parable:

“Now it came to pass on a certain noonday that I was bidden to be the luncheon guest of a certain man. We entered into the restaurant and the waiter calleth us each by name and, after spreading the table, he serveth spicy meat and later brought to the host the check. And the host examined it and, as we rose to depart, he laid some money under the edge of the plate. The waiter, who standeth nearby, smiled happily, which being interpreted means that the gratuity was satisfactory.

“But, as I meditated on the money that became the tip, I began to think about tips and tithes. For the proverbial tip must be a least a tithe (and now, often a tithe and a half – 15%), lest the waiter turn against you. Whereupon it came unto me that a few people treateth their God as well as they honor their waiter. For to the waiter they give even more than they tithe, but God they often give whatsoever they think will get them by.”

Proportional giving – whatever you decide to give is between you and God – but I would encourage you to think proportionally. We’ve all been blessed and entrusted with gifts in different ways – the amount will be different for each of us but the proportion should be generous.

Some people want to wait until they have a larger income before they will start giving generously. But, I suspect that if you are not generous with a meager income – you will never be generous with a large income. It is directly tied to your framework through which you see life.

Another way to say it is to paraphrase our gospel lesson. God often entrusts us with a little to see what we will do with a lot. Elsewhere in Luke we read,

“Give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6: 38)

This is the one Sunday of the year when we deal directly with financial giving to the overall budget and ministries of the church – and you have been right in knowing I would address the issue of money. We do not hammer away week after week about giving to the church as some churches do. We do it on this particular Sunday. And I want to address it honestly and straightforwardly.

Due to some increased expenses and loss in anticipated non-pledge income we are facing the need for a significant increase in income in 2007 to right ourselves into the foreseeable future. The trustees are doing a diligent job of keeping a very responsible and tight budget. But the reality is that if we do not have a generous increase in pledges we will have to make some significant cuts for next year’s ministry. I for one don’t believe any of us would advocate for that. I do however; believe the reason we need to stretch this year is not because we’re over spending but because we’re under funded. And that comes back to all of us doesn’t it?

Now far be it from me to lay a guilt trip on anyone. I simply do not believe that’s the way to motivate people. But I will share the challenge of the gospel and that is to lay on us all the responsibility of greater giving in all we do and all we share.

Last year on Stewardship Sunday I said something that surprised some people and I want to say it again today – not to surprise anyone a second time, but because I mean it now as much as I did then. It is this….if you are unhappy about the amount of money you are giving to the work of this church, then I suggest you do one of two things. Either stop giving altogether or start giving more!

Friends, I said straight up that this sermon is about money, but really it’s about our spiritual life because giving is one of the most spiritual things you can ever do. I do not want unhappy or resentful givers in our church. Our goal this year is to have 100% participation – our goal is to have every member of the church make a pledge – so the Trustees in turn can plan a responsible budget. But I’m serious, if it means we don’t make that goal – I’m dead serious about not wanting resentful or unhappy givers – and so if the only way you can be happy is not to pledge – then so be it. What I really want us to know is the joy that comes from sharing a lasting investment. This brings us to the pay-off of this morning’s sermon.

It is simply this – whenever you give to God’s purposes through the work and ministry of Christ’s church you are making a lasting investment. Whenever you invest in a bank or any other sound investment you count on seeing a certain rate of return. When you invest in God’s purposes you don’t always see a return but God does.

I’d like you just for a moment to let your mind go into a time warp and think beyond this life. You see, we’re all going to die. I may have a few more years than some and a few less than others. But it comes for us all.

As you think beyond your life on earth - what will you have wanted your giving and how you have invested yourself to go for - really? God is from everlasting to everlasting. Whenever we make an investment for God’s work we are making a lasting investment. Now, it is true we can’t take our money with us, but I would like to suggest that we can send it on ahead of us by making a lasting investment through our church pledge.

The American philosopher, William James, knew this truth when he wrote,

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”

For

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it, are the Lord’s.”

In closing this sermon I would like to offer a simple question and answer that came from a man named M. P. Horban. He asks,

“Have you ever wished you were more concerned about the things of God? Put your money there and the interest will naturally follow.”

I hope every single member of First Congregational will make a lasting investment through our pledges to the work and ministry of this church which is God’s Church in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And

“Their master said to them, “Well done good and faithful servants – you have been faithful over little – I will set you over greater things – come and share in your master’s happiness.”

So may we all!

Amen!