Candice's Comments

The Stewardship Campaign theme of “Abundant Joy, Overflowing Generosity” brings to mind a verse from Luke’s gospel: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.”

But it doesn’t stop there. It continues “For the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38, NRSV).

The end of that verse kind of puts a damper on those glorious visions of never-ending abundance we dream up when we read the beginning, doesn’t it? We move into rationalization mode: “OK, it’s my responsibility to give. And if I do, then I’ll receive a blessing. But wait a minute – what about this measurement thing?”

You may know of people who gave according to God’s direction and in return–seemingly miraculously–received just the right amount of support for a particular need. However, maybe a one-for-one correspondence is not the intent of this verse.

In fact, the second part of the verse raises another question for us to ponder:

 “Just how generous am I?”

Maybe it’s not in the financial realm where our generosity falls short.

· Am I generous enough to forgive the person who cuts in front of me in line?

· Am I generous enough to take on a project that’s going to interrupt my day?

· Am I generous enough to listen to that lonely soul complain again?

· Am I generous enough to be patient with that cranky child?

· Am I generous enough to look past areas of disagreement with someone and find points of mutuality?

When we stop keeping score and open up our tight fists and hearts, our generosity measures expand and our joy increases.

May we as the church, the people of God, the body of Christ, grow into more

faithful, generous and joyful stewards.

With Abundant Joy and Overflowing Generosity,

Candice

Credit: Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, 2012