18th Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s text from James is not an easy one to hear. It is a text that primarily points out our sinful human nature. James says, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice… What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” [1] Not easy words as James is telling us that our hearts are inclined to selfishness and destruction of others.

So, how does this fit into our Stewardship theme for this year – “Where the Lord Leads”? Our Vision Committee last month laid out a plan for going forward and growing at Mount Olive and this month we are focusing on how we can provide through our resources and time and talent to make it happen. James offers one idea in the concept of being peacemakers. But lets take a step back and look at the heart of the matter – our hearts.

I came across this idea in various reading I have done (and right now I can’t remember which one) that I think will help us get a handle on where our heart should be in the matter of Stewardship. The concept goes like this: There is the Theology of Giving and the Theology of Receiving. Now at first glance it would appear that the Theology of Giving is good – give of our resources; and Theology of Receiving is not as good, maybe too self focused. But it is actually the opposite. Let me explain:

· Theology of Giving goes like this: I have so much in the way of resources and time and talent that I should give a portion of it to the Lord for His work. This theology does recognize that God gives to us but there is a fatal flaw in this view of Stewardship – it focuses on “I”. It is actually self drive – “what can I give to the Lord”; “what do I have to give”; or even, “see how much I have given.” This view, while good on the surface and focused on using our resources for the Lord, ends up being selfish and pride drive.

· Theology of Receiving goes like this: All that I have and all that I am is a gift from God. Everything in my possession is really not mine but I have received it as a gift from the Lord. This view of Stewardship still sees the importance of giving but begins with the idea that we are not the owners of anything, God is. This view then sees that the act of giving is not sacrificing from our resources but giving back what is already the Lord’s.

James talks about the wisdom that comes from above or the “more grace” we receive from God in answer to the conflicts that he highlights in our sinful selves. James is focusing on what God gives to us not on what we give to God. He wasn’t telling us a “5 step model” for resolving conflict but was pointing out what our sinful nature focuses on – our own self-interest. And in our selfish state we can’t help but be in conflict. If we view the world and our stewardship in it as only an act on our part then we will easily fall into the trap of being selfish. And James’ words for what happens in this selfishness are not pretty – murder, coveting, quarreling…

But when we come from the viewpoint that everything is the Lord’s then it changes how we see the world. No matter how big our small our resources are – they are still a gift from God. Every nail that is in your house that protects you is a gift from God. Every fiber in your clothes you are wearing today is a gift from the Lord. Every crumb of food you have is a gift from the Lord. Everything is a gift from the Lord and we are receivers of His merciful gifts.

The Trinity shows us God’s good and gracious gifts. God the Father is the Creator of the universe. Everything that has been called into being has been through the Father’s mere speaking. Our very existence is a gift from Him. And the Father still cares for us by providing for our daily needs. He isn’t a God who created it and stood back, but He is a loving Father that continues to provide for us each day.

God the Son has given us the gift of redemption. In the midst of our sin and rebellion against God He still loves us and grants us mercy through the life blood of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sins and took them to the cross to be nailed in our place and die the death we are destined for. And rose on the third day to break the bonds of sin and set us free – all unmerited on our part but freely give through Jesus.

And God the Holy Spirit who is a gift in our lives each day as He lives in us and enlightens our hearts and minds. It is through the Spirit that we are able to cry our “Abba Father” and cling to the redemption of Jesus for us. The Spirit is a free gift to us received through the waters of Baptism, God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper. Everything is God’s and He gives to us freely.

One other way this idea of the Theology of Receiving can change our lives – in our relationship with other people. In the theology of receiving we believe that everything is from God – even the people that are in our lives. That is easy to see with our loved ones and friends but this concept is true of everyone in our lives, even the people we don’t get along with. If we are focused on what we can give then it is easy for us to stay away from people we don’t like – why waste our resources. But if we see them through God’s eyes – dearly loved and redeemed – then it changes us and how we interact with everyone we come in contact with. Everyone is worth of hearing about Christ – not because of our words or actions or not even because of their “character” but because God loves them and has given them as a gift to the world. Ponder that for awhile.

Finally I would like to close with a story from Richard Bimler, President of Wheatridge Ministries whose mission is to bring health and healing to the world as well as joy. Richard Bimler, who I have had the privilege to hear just over a week ago, loves to make people laugh as well as hear a message of joy from the Lord. So listen to this story, laugh at it, but also hear the message that what we have really is a gift from God.

The Cookie Thief

A woman was waiting at an airport one night

With several long hours before her flight.

She hunted for a book in the airport shop,

Bought a bag of cookies, and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see

That the man beside her, as bold as could be,

Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,

Which she tried to ignore, to avoid a scene.

She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock

As the gutsy "cookie thief" diminished her stock.

She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,

Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I’d blacken his eye!"

With each cookie she took, he took one too.

When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do.

With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,

He took the last cookie and broke it in half

He offered her half as he ate the other.

She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother,

This guy has some nerve, and he's also rude,

Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!"

She had never known when she had been so galled

And sighed with relief when her flight was called.

She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,

Refusing to look back at the "thieving ingrate."

She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,

Then sought her book, which was almost complete.

As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.

There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes!

"If mine are here," she moaned with despair,

"Then the others were his, and he tried to share!"

Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,

That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!

Author unknown[2]

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[1] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[2] Let There Be Laughter, Richard Bimler, 1999, Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, MO; p.76.