Living Generously

“Living Generously”

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 8: 8-15

First Presbyterian Church

The Reverend Dr. Bruce Archibald

November 17, 2013

Pledge Dedication Sunday

Introduction to Old Testament: The eighth Psalm is a song in which the theme is focused on the creation of human beings. “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.” We may imagine this being sung during a service of worship almost three thousand years ago. Then, as now, we may celebrate humanity as the zenith of God’s creation and life as the greatest of God’s gift to us. In turn, it is our calling to value life itself.

Introduction to New Testament: The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to the church at Corinth. The New Testament lesson for today is taken from the second letter to the Corinthians. (Many scholars believe that this letter was the first written by Paul.) It seems Paul and the church at Corinth had been in conflict. Some have titled this letter as “the severe letter.” There is a distinct difference in tone when both letters are compared.

Earlier, in the eighth chapter, Paul reminded the church to be generous in their giving to the poor. Paul holds up an example of the Church at Macedonia. He wrote; “...for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” As you will hear, Paul compared the two churches and may well have raised the guilt level in Corinth.

Read 2 Corinthian 8: 8-15

I am sure that most of you are aware, by now, that the theme of recent weeks has been “Living Generously.” This is the theme chosen for our pledge campaign closing today. Today, during the offering we will put our pledge cards in the offering plate. In doing so, we commit a portion of our financial resources to the ministry of our church. In the past few weeks, elders of our church have described the work done by major committees within the church. Last Sunday, Pastor Heinz entitled her message “This is a Great Church” in which she underscored the gifts and joy of this congregation. “Give hilariously,” she challenged us so that our offering will be full of joy and pride with our ministry in Jamestown. This morning as we present the pledges for next year, I would like, one more time, for us to consider the theme, “Living Generously.” I believe that when we invest in life, there is a significant return for others and for ourselves.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians was certainly not afraid to utilize persuasion as a way of encouraging that church to honor their pledge. He compared Corinth to the Church at Macedonia. The generosity he referred to from Macedonia must have been given in spite of great difficulty. He went on to say; “...but it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need.” (I guess it is fair to say that, at times, we all need a little push. That is what pledge campaigns are for.)

But, how do we, here and now, want to approach the theme of living generously? This question is put to individuals and to the congregation. Is it simply to say give more, financially, according to your ability or as Paul suggests; “it is a matter of fair balance.”

But a thoughtful look at the passage may well offer a lesson that goes beyond finances. How can we live our lives more generously and what would that look like? I will take the liberty to suggest a few examples that may challenge our thinking. Each of us could suggest still more.

The Apostle Paul pointed to Jesus the Christ as an example of generosity. He said; “yet, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” Although Paul was writing to Corinth about their financial giving, I am certain he meant much more. To the best of my knowledge, Jesus was never financially well off. Nor was the church at Corinth made wealthy by Jesus’ ministry. I think Paul was writing about the meaning of life, death and the quality of life - living generously. Did Paul mean that Jesus was rich in life and became poor in death so that we would value life itself? Our Lord lived his life in service to those he touched. (In Jesus’ death - humanity found life) For over two thousand years that has been the proclamation of Christianity.

What does it mean to live generously? How do we define those two words? Well, I won’t make a general statement, rules to live by or offer personal advice because I believe each of us must find the meaning in our lives for ourselves. It is a task we define all of our lives. This morning I hope that each one of us will consider our definition of living generously.

I would like to give a few examples that illustrate “living generously.” Certainly, there are many more that could be cited from our own congregation and community. Of course, like Paul, we hold up Jesus as the example of our faith. The life of Jesus was enmeshed with the lives of others. It didn’t seem to matter if the “others” were priests, prostitutes, friends, strangers, the sick or the well, the poor or the rich, fishermen or widows. Jesus walked, talked, healed, taught and saved those with whom he made contact. Would you agree that he lived generously?

There is an individual, a retired professor, a very bright and shy person. In retirement, time is given - time and talent - in the presentation of lectures and opportunities for the community and church to learn about a wide range of topics including art, music, philosophy and drama. Would you define that life as living generously?

I know of a couple who are also in retirement. She volunteers in several community services and organizations. On weekends she leads her small country church in worship and song. His skill as an attorney is offered pro bono to those in need of counseling and legal aid. On Sunday he is the lay pastor of the same rural church in which she leads worship. What do you say? Are they living generously?

There was a partial hospital program in a community mental health center. Usually about thirty men and women met to support one another and learn together skills that would add quality to their uprooted lives. One thing they had in common was that each had been a patient in the state psychiatric hospital or Mental Health Center. Although their diagnoses varied, each fell into a category called “seriously mentally ill.” One year, as Christmas was approaching, a few decided that it was time to look in a different direction. They decided to adopt two families recommended by the Salvation Army. They put on bake sales, sold homemade crafts. They went into the community and asked others to donate to a “needy family.” In doing so, many shared their pilgrimage with family, friends and strangers through experiences with mental illness and into health. Two families living in the poorest community celebrated a special gift of Christmas thanks to some Partial Hospitalization Patients. You tell me. Did that group live generously?

There is a church that chooses a mission to provide hope in education to children and working parents. Children are given the opportunity to reach beyond the usual limits. The staff offers special love and care and parents are given the opportunity to be productive and proud. It is a mission that offers an opportunity in which there is a hope. What do you say? Living generously?

Now, I suspect if we were to interview Jesus of Nazareth and ask what he got out of his ministry and faith, he would say something about the power of God’s love as defined through out life. Or if we could ask the retired educator about the importance of teaching, the answer would contain something about the pervasive importance of education in the challenges of life. Or the retired couple, we might hear about giving back to others the joy shared in music, service and faith. Both would say that they get more out than they put in. For those Partial Hospitalization folks, they have found balance and enrichment in their lives as well as bringing joy to two families. I am convinced that they understood what Paul meant when he wrote; “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” As for the church and school mentioned, what do you say? What do little ones do to bless our church?

“Living generously.” What does that mean to us? How will we define that in this church? We have a history rich with service and faith. We have a still greater potential to be and do more. Today we offer our pledge and financial support for the following year. Is there more to our gift than the pledge cards that we offer? And if so, what does it mean to us to live generously? You see, when we do, when we decide for ourselves, we have pledged to increase the quality and meaning in our own lives as well as for others. We receive more than what we invest. As we give our morning offering, and on this day, you are invited to add your pledge envelopes to the collection plate, I hope we will consider what we want to do, to “live generously.” How will we make a pledge of ourselves? Of course, I urge you to be generous in your financial pledge and I hope and pray that we are generous in living.

Amen.