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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This week I have been back in Illinois with Patti, her sister Nancy (and Tom) and the other sisters going through their mother’s house. One of Patti’s sisters asked me if I was getting any inspiration from them for this coming Sunday’s sermon. And in all honesty, I am! It may not be what they want me to convey, but “when a preacher has got to preach, (s)he has got to preach!”
In Matthew’s Gospel, He (Jesus) put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”.” (Matthew 13:31,32).
Two of the finds that caught my attention were, Dad’s baptismal certificate and a life of generosity. This family has been grounded in the promises of God throughout their lives. Patti’s paternal grandparents were lifelong Presbyterian Christians who saw their connection to the land as farmers, as a holy calling, bearing fruit from the land for the sake of the world. Her parents continued in that tradition and sought to make farming more productive and efficient, to provide even more food for the world. But they always knew that the land that they were farming was a gift from God. God gave us this earth to attend to and to provide the fruit of the earth to feed the world. And that is what they did. Yet, in the end, it all belongs to God.
When they had lean years, they hunkered down and conserved. When they had great years, they gave generously! But in lean years or in gainful years, they were also making their sacrifice to the Lord. Patti and Nancy’s parents were one of the founders of our “Endowment for Mission” at New Covenant. They were very generous to their church and to many other organizations that assisted their community and surrounding area.
A life well lived is one where we surround ourselves with the promises of God and lives of generosity. When we give, something changes in us. I believe that God begins to change us. And if we can become good stewards of some earthly things, think of what God might do with us as we also grow to become stewards of God’s Kingdom!
I’m looking forward to this Sunday when we will finish up our look at the book of Philippians! Speaking of Joy and Thanksgiving and Sacrifice, we will look at the conclusion of Paul’s letter. As I hang out amidst some pig farms, I am reminded that in Christ, there is “A Sweet Smell!” I hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Steve
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