Because of Ministry—We’re Called to Give with Love and Joy

Not too long ago, I was asked to give a meditation on the topic of stewardship. It was in connection with our church’s annual pledge drive. I know every talk about stewardship is valuable, but honestly some are rather non-descript, while others touch the soul.  I realized my words needed to come from the heart, so I told the congregation my story. When  I first looked at my pledge from last year, I asked myself—is there enough joy and love in it? “Not enough” my mind said, so I raised my pledge amount and asked the same question. The same answer came back. I raised it again, and I got the identical response—not enough love and joy. I raised it a third time and I felt my heart sing!  Here was the love and joy in giving that I was looking for. It brought a big smile to my face. I told the congregation, “Make sure whatever you give brings a smile to your face. That’s when you know your gift has the right love and joy for you.”

A Church Experience that Changed Me

Recently, my thinking about giving in terms of love and joy began to change.  Our church had an anniversary that was a really big deal. To celebrate, the congregation decided to raise funds for ministry, which was also big. To accomplish this, each member met with a different couple from the church who were excited about the church and its mission goal. The couple I met with were so filled with love for the church—and joy over the goal and what it would mean for the church’s ministry—that their faces glowed. There were smiles galore. I was encouraged to give a three-year pledge to the goal that was the same as my annual pledge. That meant doubling my financial gift. A big jump. Their joy and love were so infectious that I made that jump. And then I said to myself that I want to start changing my attitude toward giving so that I could be like them. They had found something that I wanted. That experience is engraved in my memory. I have never forgotten it. It started the process of a change of heart to make love and joy foundational to my giving.

Seeing the Love of God

I am making a conscious effort to see the love of God and rejoice in it everywhere I look.   That shift has transformed my attitude toward life. I realize there is a lot in life and in this world, which is not loving, but rather damaging and hateful. I don’t want to ignore that, but I don’t want it to dominate my outlook. A lesson I keep reminding myself of is that what I look for, I will inevitably find. If I am looking for God’s love and rejoicing in it, then that is what I will see. Considering that, I keep asking this question about my gifts to the church and how I handle my finances: “How is this helping me see how much God loves me and everyone else in this world? How am I rejoicing in it?” Actually, I am trying to raise these questions about all parts of my life—not just with my giving and finances. I want to see the love of God in every experience I have—from bringing my cat to the vet, to mowing my lawn, to having a conversation with my transgender friend. Seeing God that way brings me joy, and I don’t want to miss out on that gift of joy.

Giving to The Christmas Fund

Over the years, I have given to The Christmas Fund. I must confess that it has been something I have done because I feel I should. But I am trying to get away from any giving because I feel I should, or doing anything because I feel I should. For me a “should” feels like a heavy weight, a burden, and I don’t want anything to be a weight or a burden. I want to bring my choice into the equation. If it is something that has a challenging side to it, I can make up my mind and choose to do it. It is my decision. I am applying this thinking to Christmas Fund giving. I want to have the sense that I am choosing to give because I am looking to see God’s love in the gift and rejoicing in it. No way do I want it to feel like a drudge. I sense there is more to my giving to The Christmas Fund than I have touched on so far. I sense that more is wrapped up in my looking for God’s love in what I choose to give, so that’s the path I’m proceeding on—bolstered by a lot of prayer for wisdom.

My Priority: Giving with Love and Joy

I am beginning to realize more and more that for me; there is no alternative to giving and living my life with love and joy. I want to notice the presence of God and the love of Jesus everywhere I look, and that involves my giving. That includes my contributions to The Christmas Fund. I am working with God’s help to reach that day when my gift brings a smile to my face. That will be a big day of rejoicing, to see God’s love in action.