COULD WE TALK, GOD?

(A sermon preached November 12, 2006 at University United Methodist Church, East Lansing MI by John Ross Thompson)

Scripture texts:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Mark 12:38-44 (The Widow's Mite)

I need to talk, God. Do you mind if I try to express something that I need to sort out?
There are lots of folks here, and perhaps some of them have the same questions I have.

First of all, where are you? Even in this sanctuary, I don't know where to look.
Should I look at the:
Altar table?
Cross?
Up?
Within myself?
Into the faces of your people, your church?
I know - all of the above.

This is Commitment Sunday, when we focus on our financial giving to the church for the next year. I know how much the church needs its ministry funded, but I want to talk with you about something else today.

This is going to sound a bit selfish, but I need to ask…
How can I grow closer to you and to others?
How can I grow spiritually?

There are times when I feel dry - thirsty - empty - hollow…..
In those times, I feel like I have a bad connection to you.
Sometimes, I know you're right there within me, filling me, making me alive, helping me to know who I am and what I should be doing.
But, there are other times when it is hard to know if I'm "with it" or not.

I want to feel alive!
I want to make a difference in the world.
I want to know I'm connected to something greater than I am, and then I want to share that with others, especially those close to me.

In 2 Corinthians 9, in The Message paraphrase, I found this definition of a Christian: "full-formed love, robust in God, wealthy in every way".
That's what I want to be.

Is it wrong to want more of You for me?
If I'm going to be more effective in sharing your love, I need to feel it more consistently myself.
That's why today I need to talk with you about me.

There has been a lot of talk about prosperity Christianity. Some people say if you truly have faith, you're going to be rich. The 2 Corinthians 9 text seems to say that.
Paul is talking to the Christians of his day. He tells them God is a God of abundance who will bless us for our generosity. I find it surprising that he ties the needs of our world and God's blessings to how much we reach out to others.

Jesus said, "Give and it will be given to you, a full measure, pressed down, running over, will be put into your lap." Doesn't that mean that I'm going to be rich?

Then I remember the story of the widow's mite. I know it's not just about money. It's about favoring the wealthy over the poor. But I'm intrigued by what the widow did.
She wanted to give, even though she had very little. She gave more than others thought she should, but she still did it. The joy of her life was being able to be generous, and she trusted that her needs would somehow be met.

I also recall the difference between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Because the Dead Sea has no outlet, it died years ago. The Sea of Galilee pours into the Jordan River, and it is alive. That says something about my need to give.

I've been thinking about the times when I have felt the most spiritual. It's when I have been:

1. Giving myself to loved ones and family.
2. Learning more about all the world, especially those who don't have as
   much as I do.
3. Pouring myself into my work, using my God-given gifts.
4. Helping others.
5. Being part of a great church, where I can trust others and renew my
   faith in you.

"Those who lose their life shall find it," Jesus said.

Thanks, God!

I'm ready to give myself again to all that you are asking of me.