Releasing God's Blessings
Vista Ridge UMC 2023 Stewardship
The leaves are changing colors; autumn is upon us. I love that this season teaches us how to let go. It’s such an important reminder of our Christian faith. Throughout scripture, we are taught various ways to let go of our control over the earth, one another, and even God. We are shown how to live by faith. Faith is the central practice of our relationship with the Divine. To live by faith is to live in a constant season of release! So, we come to this time of the year when we remember that part of our faith is to release the blessing of our finances to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21). That isn’t just a nice sentiment of Jesus, it’s a command. It’s a way of life that we as disciples are called to. Not just in order to bless others, but so that WE can live as free people. Money can so easily entangle us into the deception that we are in control of our lives. Tithing is the means by which God frees us from that lie and allows us to see how richly blessed we are in communion with the Body of Christ!
I started giving to the church at an early age. My mother taught me that if I was given money for a birthday or earned an allowance that 10% should go to the church. I must admit that as a young person I never got to that 10%. I would give what was easy … a few silver coins here and there. Honestly, I gave it begrudgingly. It wasn’t a blessing!
When I got older, I read more about the incredible generosity highlighted in the scriptures, like the woman who breaks open her alabaster jar full of costly ointment and anoints the feet of Jesus, or the beggar who brings her two coins to the offering which Jesus says is all that she has or the vineyard owner who pays the person who shows up 10 minutes before closing a full day’s wage. I started to question if I understood the true depth of generosity. I decided to try out giving a portion of my monthly income that would make me have to tighten my budget. It would make me have to think about the way I spent my money so that I would have enough each month for my offering. Two things happened:
- I started to pay attention to how the church was using money. If it was costing me to change my lifestyle I wanted to understand how it was being used to bless our community. I became far more invested in my church.
- I was blessed in SO many ways! I never missed a bill, I never missed a meal, and if I struggled there was always an unexpected blessing that came. I began to notice the way our church was blessing others so much more than I had before because I was a real part of it.
Giving generously, to the point where it changes the way I live, has influenced my faith greatly. When we talk about being committed to intentional discipleship, this is a huge part of it. My prayer is that each and every one of us will pray about intentionally giving this year as a way that changes us, changes the way we invest in our church, the way we live, and the way we love our neighbors! Vista Ridge is a vessel of blessing waiting to be filled up to overflowing! What blessing might God use us for this year?
Grateful to be in ministry with you,
Rev. Ashley Anne Sipe
Lead Pastor