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Christ Lutheran Church
 
 
Temple Talks
October 5, 2008
1st Temple Talk
 
 
Today is the beginning of our annual Stewardship drive here at Christ Lutheran Church. This past year our goal was to have a good Stewardship drive, we needed your support to continue our mission.
 
But, during the course of this past year I’ve learned many new things about stewardship. Over the next few weeks I’ll take a few moments each Sunday to share with you some important thoughts on stewardship.
 
Last year I began with a definition of Stewardship, which was:
“Stewardship is our responsibility to care for this house of worship and to provide for the activities that carry out Christ’s message.”
 
Secondly, our church is made up of many families, and like each family we need to plan ahead.
·        Most families need to plan their budgets, to balance how much income we expect compared to how much our expenses will be.
·        Well, our church is no different. We need to plan our budget for next year. To do this we need everyone’s help.
 
Well, I’d like to say that last year I think I missed the boat.
 
I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned, and perhaps you’ll agree with me.
 
Stewardship isn’t about the church’s budget. It isn’t about our providing enough money so we can heat this building when it’s cold. It isn’t about providing materials for our Sunday school program. It isn’t even about providing for Pastor Peter’s salary. 
 
Stewardship is first and foremost about our relationship with Christ. Stewardship is all about trust, obedience, and God’s will.
 
The theme of this year’s drive will be Discipleship.
 
I’d like to share a bible passage with you today. The first is from Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Wealth.” 
Why do we look to the church for our eternal salvation and to our bankers for our finances? Haven’t we learned to listen, when E. F. Hutton speaks? Don’t we look to Mr.’s Merrill, Lynch, Pearce, Fenner and of course Mr. Smith for sound financial advice?  
 
By trusting in Christ for the eternal, but in man for our earthly security, aren’t we really trying to serve two masters? So, when it comes to money, who really comes first?
 
So, please consider that Stewardship isn’t just about supporting our church, keeping it nice, or even paying the bills. Stewardship is all about our being a disciple for Jesus and drawing nearer to Him. 
 
Only through generosity can we free ourselves from having two masters. We need to put our trust in the Lord first, and we will learn that He will provide.
 
Finally, I like to remember that everything good in our lives is a gift from God. Everything we have, our time, our talents, and even our incomes come not from us, but from God. So, please share some of what God has first given to you. 
 
Thanks and may God Bless us.
 
Daniel Lamade
Stewardship Committee
 
October 12, 2008
2nd  Temple Talk
 
 
Last week, I shared with you how my definition of Stewardship has changed.  I said Stewardship isn’t about the church’s budget. It isn’t about our providing enough money so we can heat this building when it’s cold. It isn’t about providing materials for our Sunday school program. It isn’t even about providing for Pastor Peter’s salary. 
 
Stewardship is first and foremost about our relationship with Christ. Stewardship is all about trust, obedience, and God’s will.
 
As stewards for Christ, how can we learn to put our trust in God? First, we need to recognize that everything in our lives comes from God. Our learning to Tithe is a part of our learning to trust God. For many people the thought of giving 10% of their incomes back to God is scary. I know it is because it was for me. We think about how we are going to pay our bills, pay our mortgages, and even about how we can afford that new thing we want. We then look at how prices always seem to be rising and we ask, “How can I afford to give more to the church? I barely have enough to make ends meet now.” 
 
Notice we depersonalize the question by thinking that our giving is to the church and no longer to Christ? That’s because it’s hard to say no to Christ, but somehow no to the church is alittle easier. Please although we give our offerings at church, our offerings are to God.
 
This year as I have read more, prayed more, and generally tried to be a better steward. But, the thought kept creeping into my head that I don’t tithe, I try to be as generous as I can, but tithing is for folks with greater incomes that I have. I can tell you, those thoughts were unsettling. 
 
As I learned and thought more about stewardship, I came to realize that tithing isn’t about financial hardship.  Tithing is about loving our neighbors as ourselves. Tithing is learning that we don’t need so many possessions, especially when so many people have so much less. Tithing is learning to put your trust in God and believing that He won’t let us down.
 
With these thoughts in mind I decided it was about time I got my priorities straight. This year I am committed to tithing.
 
So, won’t you join with me, open the door to a better relationship with Christ by taking a step to living closer to God’s will?
 
Soon you’ll be receiving your pledge cards for 2009 together with your Time & Talent signup sheet. Please take a few moments to reflect on the ways God has been generous to you, and how you need to share His generosity with others through the generous offering of your time, your talents, and your money. Please join a committee, become more involved, and enrich your life in the process.
 
In closing, please remember that all of the good in our lives comes as a gift from God. Please seize the opportunity that God is giving you to generously share your gifts with others.
 
Thank you and may God bless us.
 
Daniel Lamade
Stewardship Committee
 
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