Sermon | Stewardship | ENOUGH 4. "Defined by Generosity" given by Rev. Joseph Sanford based off of "Enough: Finding Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity" by Rev. Adam Hamilton
We are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ…
The foundation of their identity is love, grace, and GENEROSITY
All of Creation and everything with which we live, work, and find joy…was a gift.
Our salvation and ability to find “the life that is life”… is a gift through Jesus Christ.
The whole thing is defined by GENEROSITY.
We serve a Triune God who continues to be generous with us.
Our generosity through the form of tithes and offerings allows us to participate in this ancient tradition which brings joy and life to our hearts—because it’s what we’re made to be and do.
We, too, are DEFINED BY GENEROSITY.
It’s through the gifts of tithes and offerings that we have this church which will be celebrating 200 years in 2025…
It’s because of the generosity of the congregation at Grace UMC that we have pastors…
And the staff…
And the amenities that are used by us for worship and classes…and community groups to help people heal from addiction, from unhealthy tempers, and financial burden
There are groups who come to this building to teach girls and boys how to become responsible contributors to their communities…
Other groups come here to help people become healthy through fitness, through relationships, through fellowship and meals and love.
There is true salvation occurring within these walls almost every single day of the year…because disciples of Jesus Christ praise God through the gift of tithes to help make it possible.
Does that not bring you joy??!!
Does that not bring a richer sense of life to your heart??
Now…to be honest, we are finding it harder and harder to keep things going the way we have—because the last several years have been tough and utilities are rising and we want to help keep our staff’s salaries increasing to try and keep them up with their own cost of living.
It’s been harder these last few years—and we’re working to adjust.
The reality won’t always be difficult…but that’s where we are today.
It’s where many of us are.
Some of our trees has shrunk—and living beyond or right on the cusp of our means makes a tree downsize extremely difficult—but not impossible!
Some of our trees have grown during this time—or were so big that a bit of shrinking didn’t put us in a pinch…
OR…because a person who lives well below their means can handle a downsizing pretty well.
We are all different kinds of tree-growers when it comes to wealth.
But I am CONFIDENT together we have everything we need.
I KNOW that 100% of our members giving their tithe would alleviate the burden we face as a church and would also give us incredible opportunities to engage in ministry and disciple-making in our community in world-changing ways—because God ALWAYS gives us what we need.
I am CONVINCED that through tithing we would have enough as a church to take care of those in our congregation who are really struggling right now due to the fluctuation of tree-sizes.
We have our wealth trees each and every one of us…
The question is — What will we do with the gifts God has entrusted to us?
What kind of tree-grower will you be?
Will you silence the voices of temptation within you to worship and love your wealth—to place your hope and security in it?
OR… will you TRUST in God to lead you into the life that really is life?
