During the past few weeks, I have had to curtail my physical activities which has given me more opportunity for study, meditation, and prayer. During this time, I picked up a book that had been given to me more than 20 years ago, “A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People” written by Ruben Job and Norman Shawuck. One of the responsibilities that I am given by our denomination is to make sure that at least once a year I speak to you about the grace of giving.
From A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People
The grace of giving is often a tremendous stimulant to the life of faith. This is why the offering is correctly placed as part of the worship service.
In Isaiah 58 we read of a deeply religious people whose pious devotion counted for nothing because it was not matched with active caring for the poor and the oppressed. “Is not this the fast that I choose,” proclaims God, “To loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the things of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (Isaiah 58: 6). Religious piety is bankrupt without justice. If you want your fasting to have true spiritual content, then you are to “Share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and the poor into your house” says Isaiah in 58:7.”
It has been the practice of Claybanks United Methodist Church for many years, even prior to my arrival almost ten years ago, that we as a church family support many important giving needs. It was determined just a few weeks ago just prior to our church conference that 22% of our church budget is shared in financial giving either through our conference, our district, and local and national organizations that support the sharing of bread with the hungry and bringing those who lack shelter into protected homes. We recognize as a church family that we may not always have the possibility of physical contact in our immediate community so we reach out through many opportunities to support those who can share their bread and their shelter with those who have a yoke around their shoulders.
I share this not to pat each other on the back but to recognize we respond as those in the Old Testament and yes, as Jesus has commanded us in the Gospel readings, that we are all brothers and sisters in our need for each other. Much is written in the Gospels of Jesus commanding us to bring to our sisters and brothers grace as God has shared much grace with us. It is in love we respond through our sharing as we continue sharing God’s grace with the world around us.
May God continue to bless our giving in ways that we will always recognize that we are a family in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Claybanks United Methodist Church 