Wisdom 12:13, 16 – 19 Matthew 13:24 – 30;36 – 43 Romans 8: 12 - 25
“All things come from you, O Lord, and of your own do we give you.”
Week in and week out, this brief prayer is said during Holy Communion services after the offering has been taken. It acknowledges that God is the Source of all things and reminds us that we are simply giving back to God what God has already given to us. In this, our generosity can only ever be understood as a response to God’s generosity to us.
This reminder helps to challenge ideas and attitudes aboutacquisition, ownership and possessions. In our society and in many others around the world, we tend to measure each other bywealth, status, fame and possessions. Rich people are put on a pedestal and their wealth lauded. Once a year, the Times Newspaper produces an entire section of the paper called The Rich List, which names the 100 wealthiest people in the country, estimating their wealth and categorising them according to how they earned or otherwise accrued their wealth. It also includes the good causes that these people have been known to give to. It makes a fascinating read!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Times does not publish an annual list of people who have most helped or served others. It does not itemise the people who have prayed the most or who have been most generous with their hospitality or time. It does not highlightthe people who work most diligently for justice or who love the most. Who am I to say that some of the people who feature in the first list, might not also be included in the second list? Only God would know!
On this Generous Giving Sunday, we are encouraged to think about what we give back to God, whether in the form of an offering in the plate during a service or in our normal lives. We are invited, once again, to reflect on the gifts we have been given and on God’s generosity to us and we are challenged to think about what more, or else, we could be giving or doing for others, including to our own church of St Peter’s.
Long term members will know that over the past few years wehave had to have the boiler repaired and we are still continuing to pay the cost of that. Others may have seen or heard that some of our beautiful stained-glass windows have suffered breakages over the years, causing dangerous weakness, in particular, a window featuring St George. The repairs are likely to cost several thousand pounds.
Whether we feel we want to give to help our church building remain strong and secure, or whether we prefer to give to various mission agencies or other causes, we are all encouraged to give what we can of our money, time or talents, and also what we can offer in our prayers, our friendship and our love. Each of us has something to give and each of us will be drawn to giving to different things. On this Generous Giving Sunday, what do you feel God is calling you to give? How will you respond?
Rev’d Christina Rees