What is an offering?

We pastors have heard many of the jokes that circulate.  There's the one about the airplane which is losing altitude fast and the stewardess says to the pastor on board, "Can't you do something?"  She gives it some thought and then takes up an offering. Ha!

You and I both know that isn't an offering.  (What it is exactly I'm not so sure: desperation?bribe?  payment for services anticipated?)  An offering is a gift.   A child draws a picture for his teacher and with reverence, offers it to her as a token of his esteem.  A neighbor loses a family member and you carry over a dinner as an offering of friendship.  Offering is gift; offering is thanks and honor.

Thanks for being alive.  Thanks for someone's help.  Thanks for gifts received, both now and in the past.  Thanks for safe travel through the storms of loss and depression.  Thanks for beauty and grace and joy.  Thanks that I have and can therefore can help provide for another.

Thanks and honor.

Yes, the Bible makes it clear that God has asked all those who honor God as God to offer back to God's work in the world one tenth of what they have, a tithe. God gave it all to you and only wants 10% back to fill in the places where more is needed........which is primarily in your heart because once it's in our wallets we then to think that our goodness put it there.  Setting aside a portion of our earthly goods to God's work is a regular and healthy reminder that all good things come from God in the first place. It is a way for us to be partners with God in the work of this world.  It is a way of giving thanks and honor.

It is also a source of JOY!  You are pleased to give it and often see new places where your gifts would be helpful.  Joy. Thanks. Honor.

You certainly can think of it as obligation, burden, expectation, even legalistic. But you are missing out on all the fun.  It is truly a blessing to be able to offer a gift, it connects you to your neighbor and opens your heart to the world around you.  You can write a check to the church or you can make an offering so God's work can be accomplished.

Wouldn't it be sad to be the person who had nothing to give?

The creativity of God, part II

Every Lutheran pastor has a copy of our Lutheran confessionals documents known as The Book of Concord.  It costs about $40 in the states, is the core of our Lutheran Confessions course at seminary and for many, has no use after they graduate.

This is considered a luxury for the pastors of the ELCZa.  Where could they get $40 + shipping?  Even if travelers from the US brought copies with them, how many could any one person carry at a time?   And once they were in Zambia, how could the copies get out to the pastors who are scattered across a country the size of Texas?  Mail?  They would never arrive after you had paid outrageous fees to send them.

Technology to the rescue!  Today, as a result of a creative and generous gift of some donors in the US, all 15 pastors of the ELCZa received their own Kindle, loaded with reference books, biblical books, children's books, and two portions of The Book of Concord.  (only two sections are available without charge at this time).

They were entranced with this e-reader that put at their fingertips books they would never have access to.  They worked to learn how to use all the features.  They checked out the different offerings.  And they were thankful.

For a creative God and similarly faithful and creative servants, we all give thanks.  AMEN