Bernice Menning
Notes
Transcript
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Bernice Menning Funeral Message
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Bernice was a generous and cheerful giver. As I gathered with a group of ladies on Wednesday afternoon for Bible study, one of them mentioned that she was the best Sunday School teacher she had ever had. Her children shared with me that she was completely selfless and devoted. The way that she served her family and this church for many years is worthy of admiration and imitation.
We can add on to those things, the memories that you have shared today and will continue to think back on in the days and weeks ahead. Wonderful memories worth cherishing. While I never met Bernice, I am guessing she might have been someone who would not want to be praised. How she helped her husband, Lloyd, during his life and you her children and grandchildren; how she served the church discipling others, teaching and giving her gifts in music, even being willing to ruffle some feathers at times. It is likely that she felt that living this way was how she simply was called to live. If God had given her certain gifts, then she would be faithful to him in using those, in sowing that seed generously.
When we look at this passage that is before, let me be clear that Paul was speaking of material gifts. Today we have the chance in many churches to give our financial offerings weekly—those fit into what he was talking about as well as food, clothing, and other necessities to help one another in our lives. He encouraged the believers of his day in the city of Corinth as well as whoever might come across this letter to have a certain mindset about what we have and how we can give, how we can share.
Yet the number of things that we can give to the Lord and to the furthering of his kingdom certainly involves the giving of our talents and our passions. I have no doubt that to be a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and a devoted person to her church and community were things that Bernice took pleasure in—she was happy to do those things, to give herself in those capacities.
In her cheerfulness, willingness, and love, God blessed her and those touched by her with great fruit. Listen to verse 8 again, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” All grace, all things at all times, all you need, in every good work. When believers give themselves to be used by God, we are told that he will use all of us, supply everything for us, and make our whole lives a reflection and testimony of him.
What is Paul saying here? Take note, he is not saying that every believer who is a cheerful giver is guaranteed to have a large bank account with every possession they could ever want. He is not guaranteeing financial prosperity or lifelong health, though some may be blessed in that way. What he is saying is that we will have all that is needed. What God provided for Bernice, and what he provides for you and I will be sufficient for this life. When we live giving to him—we will be able to take great joy in his provisions whether we find ourselves materially rich or poor.
As we live our lives, we have the opportunity to be watching for those blessings and that bountiful harvest that God is providing. At different points, we have the opportunity to nurture in our homes and places of worship—working with adults or children, friends and neighbors. Yet while we seek to be servants and givers, we should also pay attention to those times when someone is giving to us. When someone prepares a hearty meal and gathers us at their table. When someone reaches out to watch our children, to visit us while we are sick, to send an encouraging card in times of grief—we have opportunities to not only be the ones giving but also the ones receiving.
Bernice modeled well that life of giving, but many of you know what it was like to receive her gifts. While much is made of giving in this passage, that giving can only be viewed rightly as we find in verse 13. Paul tells us that the giving is meaningful in that it accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ. What drove Bernice? What drives many of us gathered her today to give ourselves in ministry and in family, in work and in community? The answer is what matters most in our lives and needs to matter most—we are able to confess the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul says, “Thank God for giving the gift of him to us—something so great that it is indescribable and inexpressible!”
Family and friends of Bernice, what we do in this life is important; yet if we have not received this gift from God then we have missed out. The gift we are talking about is that God sent Jesus to this earth, he lived obediently all of his life. Then the people put him on a cross and he died—he laid in a tomb until he arose on the third day. He ministered on earth for a time longer and then he ascended into heaven. That he did not sin and that he came back to life and that he levitated up into heaven are not just supernatural things to be marveled at. But rather God provided the substitute for us. We cannot help but be sinners, we cannot help but be worthy of judgment, no matter how good we try to be. We cannot do anything to get ourselves on a level playing field with God—that is exactly why God sent his Son to pay the price that we might be saved.
What makes a really good teacher is someone who is passionate about what they do because they believe in it not just with their minds but with all of their being. What made Bernice such a great Sunday School teacher, such a great giver and woman of faith is that she treasured and shared this gospel of Christ with others. She knew that she had been gifted, not to hide it under a bushel as the old song goes, but to share and to give. Being a follower of God through the grace of Jesus Christ changed her—just as it can do for all who put their trust in the Lord. That is what made her so generous and gave her the desire to live in thanks to her Savior. As we celebrate her gifts, each one of us is invited to receive the greatest gift. May our hope for this life and the life to come be firmly rooted and grown up in our Triune God. Amen.